04 ott 2024
Italy's data center market,valued at 15 billion euros,is attracting major American and European players.
The competition is fueled by the need for digital sovereignty and the increasing demand for cloud services,driven by AI and market saturation in traditional European hubs.
Italy,particularly Milan,is becoming a strategic focal point due to its geographical position and advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
However,regulatory challenges and sustainability concerns pose significant hurdles.
A new legislative proposal aims to streamline regulations and promote uniform development across regions.
The Italian data center market,estimated at 15 billion euros,is becoming a battleground for major American and European companies.
Giants like Google,Amazon,and Microsoft,alongside European firms such as Data 4 and Aruba,are vying for dominance,emphasizing the importance of digital sovereignty.
This competition is intensified by U.S. laws like the Cloud Act,which grant extensive data access powers,prompting a shift towards European-made solutions.
The demand for cloud services is surging,driven by the rise of generative AI and the saturation of traditional markets in Frankfurt,London,Amsterdam,and Paris.
Milan is emerging as a strategic hub due to its central location and advanced telecom infrastructure,including the Sparkle cable connecting Genoa to Mumbai.
Italy's strategic position in the Mediterranean,with numerous submarine cable systems,enhances its appeal as a data center hub.
Recent forecasts by Morgan Stanley predict a sixfold growth in European data centers by 2035.
The Politecnico di Milano's report highlights Italy's pivotal role,with 83 new infrastructures planned by 2025,primarily in Milan.
A legislative proposal,led by Giulia Pastorella,seeks to establish a regulatory framework for data centers,currently classified as generic industrial buildings.
The proposal aims to standardize construction procedures across regions,addressing territorial disparities.
Sustainability is a critical concern,with new data centers offering up to 70% energy waste reduction compared to older models.
However,bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory ambiguities,such as the classification of emergency generators,threaten to impede progress.
A clear and unified regulatory approach is essential to facilitate development and capitalize on this significant opportunity.