Digital Realty Trust is planning to invest USD 2.16 billion in Italy over the next five years, constructing major data center facilities in Rome and Milan as the Austin-based company positions the Mediterranean region as a critical corridor for global data traffic.

A Mediterranean Strategy Takes Shape

The investment forms part of a broader geographic ambition centered on the Mediterranean. According to Fabrice Coquio, Digital Realty's regional managing director, the Mediterranean accounts for 56 percent of the company's planned capital expenditure in EMEA through 2030.

Alongside Italy, the network spans Barcelona, Marseille, and Athens, forming what the company describes as an interconnected corridor for data flowing between continents.

Alessandro Talotta, Digital Realty's executive managing director in Italy, explained the strategic rationale in an interview. "The Mediterranean is very strategic because data traffic flows from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa into Europe through this region," he said.

Talotta added that Italy could become one of Digital Realty's largest European markets over time, a projection that underscores how seriously the company views its foothold in the country.

The company also expects to hire hundreds of staff locally as both the Rome and Milan facilities take shape, though no specific hiring targets or timelines were given beyond that general expectation.

Rome and Milan Buildout Details

Digital Realty entered the Italian market in 2023, establishing its first presence in Rome. That site is targeting 62 megawatts of capacity and is expected to open early next year.

The Rome facility represents the company's initial operational footprint in the country and will serve as one of the two anchors of its Italian infrastructure.

In Milan, Digital Realty is developing an 84-megawatt campus. Land for the project was acquired in Abbiategrasso, located southwest of the city. The first phase of the Milan development is currently targeted for 2028.

Together, the two campuses will represent a substantial addition to Digital Realty's European portfolio, linking Italy into the broader Mediterranean network the company is building out ahead of its 2030 capital expenditure horizon.

EU AI Gigafactory Discussions Underway

Beyond the two confirmed city developments, Digital Realty is exploring a potentially larger opportunity in Italy. The company is in discussions with the Italian government regarding participation in a planned EU-backed artificial intelligence gigafactory project in the country.

According to Talotta, such a facility could require around 200 megawatts of capacity. He noted that those discussions remain ongoing, with no further details disclosed about their current stage or the structure of potential involvement.

The gigafactory concept, which is tied to broader European Union initiatives around AI infrastructure, would represent a significant additional commitment on top of the USD 2.16 billion already planned for the Rome and Milan builds.

Italy's Role in a Larger European Play

The concentration of investment in the Mediterranean reflects a deliberate departure from data center development patterns that have historically favored Northern European markets.

Digital Realty's push into Italy, alongside its presence in Barcelona, Marseille, and Athens, positions the company to capture data traffic that moves through submarine cable landing points and regional exchange hubs across southern Europe.

Coquio's figure that the Mediterranean accounts for more than half of Digital Realty's planned EMEA capital expenditure through the end of the decade illustrates how decisively the company has weighted this regional corridor in its long-term infrastructure planning.

Italy, in particular, with its geographic position extending into the central Mediterranean, offers proximity to cable routes connecting Europe to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Talotta's comments suggest the company views Italy not merely as a single-market opportunity but as a node in a continent-spanning and intercontinental data infrastructure network.

Whether through the confirmed Rome and Milan builds, the potential gigafactory participation, or future expansions not yet announced, Digital Realty appears to be treating Italy as foundational to its European growth trajectory rather than peripheral to it.

Discover Latest Data Center Projects in Italy With Ease

Are you seeking reliable, up-to-date insights into upcoming data center projects in Italy?

Explore the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research, your go-to resource for the latest data center projects and tenders across all stages:

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Book a Free Demo today and see how the GPT platform can help you unlock opportunities and achieve your business goals.