Thursday, 23 October 2025
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing continues to fuel a global surge in data centre development. Across North America, Europe, and Asia, record levels of construction are reshaping the digital infrastructure landscape, even as developers face mounting challenges linked to energy supply, land use, and regulation.
According to international market analyses, the United States remains the largest hub for data centre construction. At the end of 2024, new facilities with a combined capacity exceeding 6,000 MW were under development—more than double the level seen the previous year. The expansion represents tens of billions of dollars in construction spending, underscoring the scale of the AI-driven digital transformation.
Europe, too, is experiencing a sharp increase in new projects. Across the region, operational capacity rose by more than a fifth in the first half of 2025, while additional large-scale investments are underway or planned. Analysts estimate that the total value of these projects could approach €170 billion as both cloud service providers and data-hosting operators race to expand in established hubs such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and London, as well as in emerging secondary cities.
The Asia-Pacific region, led by China, is also seeing rapid expansion. The Greater Beijing area alone now accounts for roughly a tenth of global capacity. Forecasts indicate that China’s total installed IT capacity could increase from just over 4 GW in 2025 to more than 8 GW by 2030, representing one of the fastest growth rates worldwide.
The driving force behind this global boom is the ongoing investment cycle of major cloud and technology companies. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta together account for well over half of the world’s large-scale data-centre capacity, spending hundreds of billions of dollars on facilities to power AI training and cloud services. Similar levels of ambition are evident among leading Chinese operators such as Alibaba and Tencent, which are racing to expand their own digital infrastructure.
Despite this momentum, the construction sector faces significant constraints. Shortages in power supply and outdated grid infrastructure are delaying or downsizing projects in several key markets, including the UK, Germany, and the US. Land scarcity and public opposition have also led to stricter zoning regulations in some metropolitan areas, while sustainability rules require operators to use renewable energy and recycle waste heat. Analysts warn that such constraints could push new projects to less congested regions with available land and access to electricity.
In the Czech Republic, growth is positive but considerably slower than in Western Europe. The country currently hosts several dozen commercial data centres, operated by companies such as T-Mobile, České Radiokomunikace, Seznam.cz, and TTC Teleport. Market forecasts suggest that total installed IT power capacity may rise from roughly 150 MW in 2025 to 180 MW by 2030—a moderate increase rather than a full doubling. Although Czechia’s share of the European market remains small, it continues to attract new investment due to its central location, stable economy, and growing demand for digital services.
Overall, the international trend points to sustained growth but also rising complexity. The balance between technological demand, environmental responsibility, and energy availability will determine where and how the next generation of data centres is built. For now, AI may be the driving force—but power, in the most literal sense, will remain the defining constraint.
