Pieter Schaap
Pieter is Soben’s Group Development Director. He is dedicated to working with Soben’s key data centre clients to support their growth and expansion plans across the globe.Â
AI driving demand
The rise of AI and high-performance computing is fuelling record-breaking demand for data centres. AI workloads require significantly more power and cooling than traditional enterprise applications, putting immense pressure on existing infrastructure.
In EMEA, this surge is already clear. London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam – longstanding data centre hubs, are seeing record capacity expansions. According to CBRE, Meanwhile, regions like the Nordics are becoming more attractive due to abundant renewable energy and cooling opportunities.
The challenge? Establishing the infrastructure to support this high growth.
Energy and sustainability
With Europe leading the charge on sustainability, data centre operators are under increasing pressure to meet net-zero goals. Renewable energy integration, innovative cooling solutions, and nuclear power discussions are all on the table. Several markets are setting the standard:
- Ireland has imposed restrictions on new data centre developments due to power concerns, forcing operators to explore alternative energy sources.
- The Netherlands is rolling out new regulations to ensure hyperscale data centres align with strict environmental policies.
- The Middle East is leveraging solar power to build next-generation green data centres, with projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia aiming for complete energy independence.
For developers and operators, balancing sustainability with growth remains a delicate dance.
Bridging the skills gap
The fast expansion of the DC space has created an urgent need for skilled professionals. From engineers to project managers, the sector faces a shortage of qualified talent. In EMEA, this is particularly pronounced in construction and operations.
The Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry struggles to keep pace with demand, requiring upskilling initiatives and workforce development programmes. Countries like Germany and the UK are investing heavily in apprenticeships and training programs to address the gap, but the challenge continues.
Without skilled talent, the industry’s ability to scale will be severely limited – as cited in a previous article here. At Soben, we welcome cross-industry talent and careers in Data Centres, find out more. Â
Beyond the big hubs
While FLAPD (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin) remains the dominant data centre region, operators are increasingly looking beyond these saturated markets.
- Spain and Italy are gaining traction as secondary data centre hubs, thanks to lower real estate costs and growing connectivity. The carbon neutral data centre pact has even provided a unique position for southern-Europe in terms of a slight relaxation of sustainability goals to enable the strong growth to take place in these areas.
- Africa is experiencing a data centre boom, particularly in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, where digital transformation is driving demand.
- Eastern Europe is attracting hyperscale investment, with Poland and the Czech Republic emerging as key locations.
This diversification is crucial, as power constraints and land scarcity force operators to think beyond traditional hotspots.
Final Thoughts
The EMEA data centre market is at a crossroads. AI is pushing infrastructure to its limits, energy challenges are forcing innovation, and the industry must address its workforce shortage.
At the same time, new markets are rising, offering fresh opportunities for investment and expansion.
For those operating in the sector, the future of data centres in EMEA is bright – but only for those who can adapt to the shifting landscape.
To explore these trends further and understand how they impact the global data centre landscape, read our Data Centre Trends 2025 report here.
