Europe’s Sovereign AI Ambition: Challenges in Data Centre Infrastructure
74% of Operators See Sovereign Cloud as Major Opportunity
July 9, 2026 – 10:01 am
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Europe’s drive for sovereign AI has gained urgency, yet its infrastructure may not be ready. As the US restricts access to advanced AI models, Europe seeks home-grown alternatives, highlighting the commercial potential of sovereign cloud.
Survey Results from Onnec
According to a survey by Onnec, 74% of data centre operators in the UK, Ireland, and Nordics believe sovereign cloud presents a significant opportunity over the next three years. The poll, conducted by Sapio Research between May 27 and June 12, 2026, among 300 senior decision-makers, reveals:
- Real Demand: Gartner forecasts European spending on sovereign infrastructure-as-a-service to rise significantly in 2026.
- Policy Push: The EU’s Cloud and AI Development Act and AI gigafactory program aim to boost data centre capacity and demand for relevant facilities.
- Public Investment: The European Commission awarded a €180m framework to four providers, encouraging procurement of sovereign cloud services.
Challenges in Delivery
While the demand is strong, Onnec identifies several obstacles to delivery:
- Power availability
- Planning delays
- Rising build costs
- Supply chain constraints
- Skills shortages
- Retrofitting live facilities for higher-density AI workloads without disrupting operations
Matt Salter, global head of data centres at Onnec, emphasizes the need to view sovereignty as an infrastructure challenge rather than just a policy issue:
"Sovereign cloud and AI will only be possible if the infrastructure beneath it can be delivered at scale."
Ultimately, the success of Europe’s sovereign AI ambitions hinges on overcoming these power, planning, skills, and live-site upgrade challenges.