Growing demand for infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence and cloud services is driving the development of the data center market in Europe, according to CBRE’s “European Data Centres” report. Poland is beginning to play an increasingly important role in this process. Experts estimate that by 2030, the total capacity of the Polish data center market could reach 500 MW. The largest concentration of facilities will remain in the Warsaw area, which already serves as the country’s main digital infrastructure hub, but major project ambitions are also emerging in Bełchatów, Szczecin, Bielsko-Biała, and Choczewo.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, 517 MW of new data center capacity was delivered in Europe. Over the entire year, operators added 859 MW of new supply. The five largest European data center markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin) accounted for three-quarters of all new supply in 2025. In London and Frankfurt alone—the two largest markets in this group—433 MW was delivered, representing half of Europe’s total supply in 2025.

A boom in computing power

Demand for data centers in Europe is increasing, but availability remains limited. In 2026, demand is expected to reach 848 MW and once again exceed new supply, which is projected at around 710 MW. This will mark the fourth time in the past five years that demand has outpaced new developments. As a result, the vacancy rate in the European market is expected to fall to a record low of 5.7%.

“Growing demand for AI infrastructure is primarily driven by so-called ‘neoclouds’—providers of cloud services for artificial intelligence—as well as global cloud operators, or hyperscalers. With the expansion of new cloud regions and the need to install an increasing number of devices supporting AI workloads, hyperscalers are also developing their own data centers. The self-build investment segment in Europe is expected to reach 4.2 GW this year, representing a 24% year-on-year increase. This marks the seventeenth consecutive year of double-digit growth,” says Agnieszka Jankowska, Director, Advisory & Transaction Services, Data Center, CBRE.

Approximately 60% of hyperscaler self-build infrastructure operating in Q4 2025 is located in Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium.

However, strong demand is colliding with constraints related to land availability, grid connection capacity, and planning processes. As a result, developers are increasingly seeking new locations outside the largest European data center clusters—areas that can provide sufficient energy infrastructure for large-scale projects.

Poland as a promising market

Currently, Poland’s data center market stands at around 200 MW. According to CBRE analyses, this figure is expected to double by 2030, potentially reaching 500 MW. The development of this sector in Poland is primarily concentrated around Warsaw, and this trend is likely to continue. Projects with capacities of 5–10 MW in the capital’s vicinity may be particularly attractive to investors and operators. The greater the grid connection capacity—especially when supplied from two independent main power substations (GPZ)—the more attractive a site becomes.

At the same time, interest is growing in data center investments in regional cities, which are preparing to absorb increasing demand from operators focused on AI technologies.

“Many cities in Poland recognize the opportunity in developing data centers, treating them as an alternative use for post-industrial land and a way to create new locations outside Warsaw. The key factor attracting investors is access to high grid connection capacity—the greater and faster it is available, the higher the level of interest. The most sought-after plots are those that already have secured power capacity, which significantly shortens project timelines and increases location attractiveness,” adds Agnieszka Jankowska of CBRE.

Translated from Polish. 

(WBJ)