Featured in Powering AI – 03-2026

Powering Europe’s AI buildout

Europe is experiencing a renewed surge in data center growth, fueled by colocation and hyperscaler data center companies. The long wait for grid connections poses challenges, but the demand flexibility and heat reuse potential that data centers offer could turn them into an energy system asset, as Blathnaid O’Dea reports.

By

Blathnaid O’Dea

02 Mar 2026

Google’s St. Ghislain facility. | Image: Google

The EUDCA forecasts €176 billion ($209.5 billion) in cumulative investments in Europe between 2026 and 2031, in its “State of European Data Centres 2026” report, published on Feb 4, 2026. Demand is particularly strong from hyperscalers and the European Union is keen to see digital infrastructure grow. But access to power is holding back investment, …

This article is part of pv+

Subscribe digitally to unlock exclusive investigative reporting, expert insights, in-depth analysis, and premium background coverage. Your subscription also includes full access to the digital edition of our magazine.