New Hyperscaler Self-Build Capacity Growth to Outpace Colocation Supply Growth in Europe

Data centre capacity owned and operated exclusively by hyperscalers, also known as self-builds, in Europe is expected to outpace the growth of colocation supply in 2026, according to new research from CBRE.

The latest research shows that hyperscaler self-build capacity across Europe is expected to reach 4.2GW this year, representing 24% year-on-year growth compared to 2025. This new supply will be delivered across nine European countries, marking the seventeenth consecutive year of double-digit expansion for the segment.

Hyperscalers are set to deliver a record level of self-build capacity this year as they expand cloud regions and support increasing volumes of equipment dedicated to artificial intelligence workloads. As of Q4 2025, approximately 60% of Europe’s operational hyperscaler self-build capacity is located in Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium.

By comparison, the top 15 European colocation data centre markets are expected to grow 19% year-on-year. Despite slower growth relative to new hyperscaler self-builds, the European colocation segment will remain significantly larger.

CBRE notes that demand for colocation facilities remains robust across Europe. Hyperscalers and neocloud providers continue to rely on developer-operators for rapid delivery, flexible design options and the ability to secure capacity on shorter timelines.