The analysis covers 32 markets in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and highlights a 9% growth in operational capacity and 16% in planned and under construction capacity.

Despite still being in its early stages, the data center sector in Portugal is attracting significant investment. The city of Lisbon currently has an operational capacity of 15 MW, but ongoing projects will exponentially increase this capacity. AtlasEdge is building a 9.3 MW data center, while Merlin Properties is planning a 180 MW development. Furthermore, the Start Campus project in Sines is expected to reach 1.2 GW, becoming one of the largest colocation centers in Europe.

Lisbon benefits from its proximity to submarine cables that are essential for global digital connectivity, the consultancy indicates. The highlights include the Google Cloud cable, scheduled for 2026, and 2Africa, both connecting to the Portuguese capital. In addition to its strategic location, Portugal also has a high capacity for renewable energy production, with more than 70% of its electricity coming from sustainable sources, a determining factor for data center operators.

“Portugal has land in strategic industrial areas, ideal for new data center projects, and a robust renewable energy production capacity. Currently, more than 70% of the country's electricity is generated from renewable sources, positioning us as leaders in the production of this type of energy. However, we must bear in mind that not all land has dark fibre trunk coverage, which means that some locations are not yet fully prepared for these digital factories of the future”, said Sérgio Nunes, Head of Industrial, Logistics & Land at C&W in Portugal, quoted in a statement.

While the main European data center markets remain concentrated in the cities of London, Frankfurt, Dublin, Paris and Amsterdam, there is a growing movement towards new emerging markets. Helsinki, for example, saw remarkable growth in 2024, reaching a capacity of 594 MW, outperforming other Nordic markets.

With a rapidly expanding market, Portugal is positioning itself as an attractive destination for investments in data centers, benefiting from favorable business conditions, abundant renewable energy and a strategic connection to the global network.