Italian Data Centre Group Forecasts €37 Billion Investment by 2036
The Italian Datacenter Association (IDA) predicts a significant surge in investment, estimating €36.9 billion ($41.5 billion) for Italy's commercial data centres between now and 2036. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for AI and cloud computing, as presented in their 2026 market research at the Data Center Symposium in Rome on October 8th.
Key Findings:
- IT capacity in Italy's commercial data centres reached 460 megawatts in 2025 and is projected to soar to 2.3 gigawatts by 2031, a fivefold increase.
- Milan and Lombardy remain the primary hubs, while new projects are emerging in Piedmont, Puglia, and Sardinia.
- There's a disparity between ambitious plans (up to 100 gigawatts requested) and the current advanced stage of only about 1.9 gigawatts of projects.
- From 2023 to 2025, the sector invested €7.1 billion out of planned €10.5 billion (approximately 68%).
- The Italian government has prioritized data centres, streamlining permit processes under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration.
- Two large projects, totaling €6.8 billion, were designated as national strategic interests in August 2023.
Regional and International Context:
Italy is not alone in attracting interest; Spain's data centre market has also garnered attention with Alibaba exploring a partnership for a planned facility with Solaria, a solar company.