Data centre growth across Europe, the Middle East and Africa has not stalled, it has simply been rearranged. JLL’s latest research shows sovereign-backed developers pushing forward while others hesitate, reordering the region’s expansion timeline rather than abandoning it.
Daniel Thorpe, who leads data centre research for EMEA at JLL, pointed to a six-month slowdown driven by elevated regional uncertainty. Several operators postponed investment calls and stretched out delivery schedules as a result.
Yet Thorpe sees no retreat. “Timelines have been adjusted, not intentions,” he noted.
The difference lies in who controls the capital. Sovereign investors do not depend on fundraising rounds, which means their projects face sequencing questions instead of survival questions.
Power availability now dictates where capacity can physically appear, according to the report. Locations capable of supplying electricity, land and workable planning approvals have become the new battleground.
Consequently, artificial intelligence infrastructure developers have started looking past traditional hubs. Secondary and tertiary markets that can accommodate larger facilities now attract serious attention.
The shift redraws the map. Established metros still matter, but power constraints force a wider search. Markets once considered too small or too remote now compete for hyperscale and AI-driven projects.
Momentum may have moderated, but the underlying demand remains intact. Developers are matching ambition to what local grids can actually deliver.
JLL’s analysis suggests the region has moved into a delivery-focused phase. The race now centres on turning secured power and land into operational capacity before competitors occupy the same opportunity.
Expect further announcements in locations previously overlooked, as operators prioritise schedules that work over addresses that look familiar. The European data centre map will keep expanding, but along power lines rather than traditional boundaries.
