The European Data Centre Association - EUDCA

Why is Europe a hotspot for data centre investment?  With its focus on #sustainability, advanced infrastructure, and strategic position for global data flows, #Europe has become a central player in the data centre industry and a top destination for long-term investment. #Italy is now leading the charge with a £24.9 billion investment in #datacentres, announced by Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso. This will further increase the #digitalinfrastructure and capabilities of Italy, making it a prime hub for international data flows and innovation. Major global players, including Microsoft and BlackRock, are already exploring opportunities in Italy, drawn by its unique position as a #G7 country in the #Mediterranean and its potential for sustainable growth. Read more in Techerati: https://lnkd.in/eSYXt5Vp  

With data centres playing an important role in the UK’s clean energy future, plans are underway to use excess heat from data centres and facilities to warm thousands of homes in major cities such as #London, Leeds, and Bristol.  The newly announced seven “heat network zones” in cities will take advantage of unused heat from data centres to provide low-carbon heating for residential and commercial buildings, cutting emissions while driving down energy costs.  For the European #datacentre industry, this marks a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It also aligns with efforts across #Europe to improve energy efficiency, in line with the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (#EED). Learn more in The Telegraph: https://lnkd.in/eGWQeqK9  

“The problem we’ve got with the chipmakers is [that] AI is now a space race...where sustainability is relatively low on the pecking order, and where market domination is key” says Michael Winterson, our Managing Director. As AI drives a #datacentre boom across Europe, the race to build infrastructure capable of supporting these high-density, high demands heats up. Yet this expansion brings new #sustainability challenges. In a recent CNBC article, Michael raises a critical concern: Lowering water temperatures for #AI cooling is “fundamentally incompatible” with the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (#EED), which could drive Europe back to the less sustainable practices of the past. Catch Michael’s full insights and learn more about Europe’s path forward here: https://lnkd.in/eFGf8iCj

As the #European data centre industry faces growing regulatory pressures and the need for more sustainable solutions, The European Data Centre Association - EUDCA is leading the charge in tackling some of the biggest challenges challenging the sector today: 🔘 Influence key policy decisions like the Energy Efficiency Directive (#EED)  🔘Develop industry-wide #sustainability initiatives to meet ambitious climate goals by 2030 🔘Support the growth of Europe’s #digitalinfrastructure Get in touch with the #EUDCA here: https://lnkd.in/erfMqrug

As electricity demand is set to rise by 60% in #Europe by 2030, the European Commission is leading the way with a plan to invest €584 billion in energy infrastructure in 2030. This initiative aims to create better-connected, more resilient energy networks, important for accommodating the growing demand for renewable energy and #digitalinfrastructure. For data centres, this investment directly supports the goals of the Energy Efficiency Directive (#EED), setting clear targets to reduce energy consumption and improve #sustainability. By investing in clean energy infrastructure, the EU is helping data centres meet regulatory requirements and reduce their environmental impact. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ddSR4Ckk

"We’ve seen over the past 40 years – starting with mainframes, through the advent of the client-server space and up to cloud and the Internet – that technology is always more efficient at scale. Consequently, centralisation has been a fundamental feature of technology ever since. AI too, in the way it is currently designed, is fundamentally better as a mutualised service" says Michael Winterson, our Managing Director. In this article, Michael joins Anthony Milovantsev from Altman Solon and Ivo Ivanov from DE-CIX to explore how #datacentre operators and enterprises should adapt as #hyperscale operators are set to control over 60% of capacity by 2029. He also highlights the importance of multi-cloud environments, the role of #edgecomputing, and how operators can stay competitive by maintaining a balance between centralised hyperscale services and customised offerings.  Read more in Intelligent Data Centres to discover the key strategies for navigating this shift: https://lnkd.in/eDmy2V4g 

Join over 100 #datacentre operators and trade associations, representing 75% of Europe’s data centre capacity, in building a sustainable future with the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP). The CNDCP, working closely with The European Data Centre Association - EUDCA, focus on key areas critical to achieving #climateneutrality by 2030. These include reducing #energy consumption, increasing water conservation, and embracing circular economy practices like reusing waste heat and improving #energyefficiency. Join the #CNDCP today: https://lnkd.in/eMHGBrJf

A massive £6.3 billion in new #investments was just announced at the UK International Investment Summit! This investment, led by key players in the data centre space, is set to drive #AI infrastructure growth, boost sectors like healthcare and sustainable #technology, and create thousands of jobs. We’re proud to see our member, CyrusOne, committing £2.5 billion to expand its UK data centre capacity. This expansion not only creates 1,000 jobs but also strengthens the country’s ability to meet growing AI and #digital demands. With #datacentres now classified as critical national infrastructure (#CNI), these investments are key to ensuring the industry can support future technological advancements and keep the #UK at the forefront of the global AI race. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/exeaCMsh

What does it take for #Europe to remain competitive in the global race for climate technology? The Future of European Competitiveness report by Mario Draghi, sheds light on how the EU navigates the challenges and opportunities of climate #technology.  It outlines a clear roadmap for Europe to stay ahead in the climate tech space, focusing on significant investments in #renewableenergy, batteries, hydrogen, and more. With a bold target of €800bn in annual investment for green industries, Europe is taking big steps to secure its place as a global leader in climate tech and #digitalinfrastructure. Read the full insight here: https://lnkd.in/eAk84kkG

With #datacentres consuming around 3% of Europe’s electricity and the rapid rise of #AI, the challenge of balancing sustainability with technological growth is becoming more complex. So, can the #EU meet its commitments to #netzero climate goals while continuing to drive AI innovation? The solution lies in the Energy Efficiency Directive (#EED), a key regulation aimed at fostering greater transparency and efficiency across the industry by setting a framework for energy management. Learn how Europe is tackling the future of AI and data centre energy use in this article by William Noah Glucroft for Parliament Politics Magazine: https://lnkd.in/eNyDEv3T