DigitalX is a strategy & networking conference for the Belgium Data Centre and Digital Infrastructure industry. Based in Brussels, the 2-day event gives a platform for thought leaders and industry experts to establish plans for the future of the digital industry.
Soben Director, Pieter Schaap attended the 2024 event on the 10th & 11th June, here are his key takeaways.
High growth in Belgium’s Data Center market
The data centre market in Belgium is on the edge of an explosive growth. I can see the market not only doubling but growing tenfold in the next three to five years. I’m putting this remarkable momentum down to a surge in both hyperscale developments and co-location projects, as well as the rise of edge and AI-ready facilities, particularly in the greater Brussels region.
Diverse energy opportunities
Belgium stands out with its potential to create a balanced energy mix. The country has a good opportunity to integrate traditional energy methods with more sustainable solutions. Remarkably, Belgium still has power capacity available for new data centre developments, which can set it apart as a prime location for future investments.
Rapid evolution of the contractor landscape
The contractor landscape in Belgium is quickly maturing, and ready to embrace quick data centre deployments. A key example is the partnership between Cordeel and Unica Datacenters. Through their combined offering via UCDC (Unica Cordeel Data Centres), they provide a comprehensive CSA (Construction Services Agreement) and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) services. This partnership is a testament to how ready Belgian contractors in supporting rapid and efficient data centre projects.
Sustainability at the forefront
Sustainability is a major driver in Belgium, which is fuelled by a genuine commitment to keeping the ecosystem and doing the right thing. The focus on sustainability is not just a trend, but a deeply ingrained value that influences all aspects of data centre development and operations in the region.
The AI Revolution
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the buzzword of the moment, echoing throughout the whole industry. The emphasis on AI shows the impact it is having on data centre designs and capabilities. AI integration is set to redefine the landscape, making facilities smarter, more efficient, and more capable of handling the demands of tomorrow’s digital economy.
The insights from the DigitalX event highlight Belgium’s pivotal role in the future of data centre development. With a unique combination of growth potential, energy opportunities, a robust contractor ecosystem, a strong commitment to sustainability, and the transformative power of AI, Belgium is looking to become a leading hub for next-generation data centres.
To learn more about how Soben can help you develop your Data Centre projects, contact Pieter on the details below:
Director
Data Centre Trends 2024
It’s been just over six months since we released our annual data centre trends report – bringing together expert views from Soben’s data centre specialists around the globe. Already so much has changed. So, we’ve checked in with our teams around the world to see how things are going.
Read what Team Soben had to say about the top trends that continue to shape our industry and changes so far this year – and their predictions for the rest of 2024.