Data center, in Italia sono 262: capacità raddoppiata dal 2020

By the end of 2025, Italy will have 262 data centers with a combined capacity of 609 MW, more than double the amount installed in 2020. According to the AI for Energy Report 2026 by Energy&Strategy from the School of Management at Politecnico di Milano, these numbers could double by 2030, reaching 0.9 GW under limited growth and up to 1.2-1.8 GW in higher attractiveness scenarios, assuming continued performance or stimulated by tailored policies and increased investments.

The report considers the high and ultra-high voltage connection requests updated monthly by Terna, totaling 101.4 GW by late August, with 1.9 GW already undergoing grid connection procedures. On a broader scale, Europe's data centers are projected to contribute 28% (89 TWh, only slightly less than the industry's 177 TWh) to the increase in electricity demand between 2023 and 2030, growing at the same rate as the 1.4% rise in consumption (from 3,214 to 3,533 TWh) over the same period.

Federico Frattini, Vicedirettore of E&S and Scientific Director of the report, emphasizes that the growth of AI makes sustainable digital infrastructure essential for its evolution, and the challenge for Europe is to develop sufficient technological and computational capabilities to support the AI race without jeopardizing climate goals.

Efficiency improvements in data centers, including cooling system optimization, water consumption reduction, renewable energy sourcing, and supply chain management, are crucial to minimizing their environmental impact. Additionally, the need for AI models capable of reducing computational requirements and energy consumption without compromising performance presents a delicate balance, with technology sovereignty and sustainability advancing hand in hand.

By May, only two of the world's top 50 AI models were not developed in the United States or China. From a regulatory perspective, the evolving European landscape includes the Energy Efficiency Directive, which introduces monitoring obligations for data centers exceeding 500 kW installed power, focusing on energy consumption, renewables, water usage, and heat recovery.

The European digitalization and AI for energy sector roadmap considers data centers strategic infrastructure, integrating them into energy and territorial planning. In Italy, government delegation and the Bollette decree aim to expedite and streamline permitting procedures for these projects.