EMEA sees 21% annual growth in data centre capacity

The EMEA data centre market is booming, with total capacity exceeding 24GW, according to the latest Cushman & Wakefield EMEA Data Centre Update.

Data centre

Operational capacity in Europe has surged by 21% year-over-year, reaching 10.3GW, with an additional 14.1GW in development, of which 2.6GW is under construction and 11.5GW is in planning. This brings the total pipeline to 24.4GW, reflecting a 43% annual growth rate.
The FLAPD cities (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin), plus Milan, remain key players, representing over 45% of current capacity and nearly half of future projects.
With 1,189 MW of operational data centre capacity and another 1,678 MW in the works, London continues to hold its position as the largest data centre market in the EMEA region.
However, growth is expanding beyond these traditional hubs. Cities like Oslo, Helsinki, Lisbon, and Berlin are experiencing increased activity, driven by factors like improved infrastructure and the rising demand for AI and cloud computing.
Laura Shepherd, EMEA Data Centre Advisory at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Sustainability and security continue to shape the market. Operators are navigating complex planning environments, land and power constraints, and increasingly stringent environmental standards, which are driving up costs and delivery timelines. Despite these challenges, investor confidence remains strong, with significant capital flowing into both established and emerging markets.”
Andrew Fray, chairman, EMEA Data Centres at Cushman & Wakefield, added: “We are seeing a rebalancing of growth across the region. While the FLAPD markets remain vital, the next wave of opportunity lies in Tier 2 cities and remote campuses that offer scale, sustainability, and strategic connectivity. The rise of AI and high-density workloads is accelerating this trend, and investors are responding with bold, forward-looking strategies.”
Cushman & Wakefield's EMEA Data Centre Maturity Index has propelled Lisbon from Emerging to Established status as a result of its 1.2GW Start Campus project. Stockholm also achieved Established status, while Lagos and Athens moved up to the Developing category. The Dutch city of Groningen/Eemshaven is a newcomer to the Index, debuting as a Developing market.