Data Centre Take-up in Europe to Reach New Peak in 2025

Take-up of data centre capacity in Europe is set to grow at its fastest rate in four years in 2025, despite a shortage of available space.

According to new research from CBRE, take-up of colocation data centre capacity is expected to grow to 855MW, or 22% year-on-year growth, in European markets this year. This compares to 699MW of capacity in 2024. If CBRE’s projection is realised, it will set a new data centre take-up record for Europe and will represent the highest year-on-year growth of take-up in Europe since 2021, when demand for capacity spiked.

Almost half (46%) of the annual take-up this year is expected to be in London and Frankfurt, the two largest colocation data centre markets of Europe.

The appetite for capacity has grown despite the difficulties data centre providers are having sourcing power and available land for new facilities. Hyperscaler requirements have multiplied which has led to the development of larger, wholesale facilities across Europe that are often single let. As a result, facilities of unprecedented size are expected to be built in Europe this year.

Supply remains constrained, and demand for colocation data centre space is expected to exceed new supply in Europe for the third straight year. Providers have struggled to keep pace with demand which has led to an ongoing shortage of available capacity across Europe.