Poland’s data centre market is emerging as one of the most dynamic investment destinations in Central and Eastern Europe. With more than 120 facilities already in operation, forecasts suggest national IT load capacity could approach or exceed 500 MW by 2030, nearly three times the current level. While power supply and location remain decisive, industry experts note that the real differentiator for competitiveness is increasingly found in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and advanced cooling systems.

Cooling has become one of the largest components of running costs, with studies showing that it can account for around a third of a facility’s electricity demand. Although advanced systems require higher upfront capital expenditure, they can lower overall Power Usage Effectiveness ratios and reduce long-term energy bills. Investors are therefore scrutinising whether such systems can pay back within the lifecycle of a facility, which typically stretches to two decades.

The technological challenge is being driven by soaring power density. Only a few years ago, cooling a rack designed for five to ten kilowatts was standard. Now, artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads are creating demand for configurations reaching 50 to 100 kilowatts per rack. This shift is putting pressure on operators to move beyond conventional air cooling toward liquid-based solutions.

Liquid cooling is no longer seen as experimental. Global cloud operators such as Microsoft, Google and AWS have announced facilities across Europe designed with liquid cooling as standard, reflecting a wider industry forecast that as much as 40 percent of data centres worldwide could deploy such systems by the middle of this decade. The technology allows significantly higher computing capacity within the same space and provides a pathway to improved profitability.

Environmental performance is also becoming decisive in investment decisions. Operators are expected not only to disclose their carbon footprint but also to demonstrate concrete decarbonisation measures, such as the recovery of waste heat for use in district heating networks. As European Union regulations on building performance tighten, these elements are shifting from optional features to central requirements for attracting long-term tenants and contracts.

The greatest risk for investors is the rapid pace of technological change. Facilities designed around traditional air cooling may become obsolete within just a few years, prompting developers to focus on modular and upgradeable designs that allow for reconfiguration without shutting down operations. Compliance with forthcoming EU rules on energy reporting and carbon reduction strategies will also require careful planning.

With major global players already present and further capacity coming online in Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław, Poland is consolidating its position as a regional hub. The competitiveness of its facilities will increasingly depend not only on their scale and location but also on the efficiency and sophistication of their cooling systems.

Source: Marcin Kosieniak, co-owner of the PM Projekt design office

Poland and Ukraine have deepened their defence partnership with new agreements focused on unmanned systems, training, and industrial collaboration. The measures were announced during the Polish defence minister’s visit to Kyiv in mid-September.

At the centre of the package is a Joint Working Group on Unmanned Aerial Systems, designed to pool Ukrainian battlefield experience with Polish technical capacity. The memorandum commits both ministries to closer cooperation on developing and countering drones, while also setting up regular channels for information exchange. Reuters has reported that training activities will include a Polish facility in Lipa, though specific details remain under discussion.

The initiative is closely linked to the NATO–Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) in Bydgoszcz, which was launched in February 2025. JATEC’s mission is to capture Ukrainian frontline lessons—particularly in drone warfare and electronic countermeasures—and integrate them into NATO doctrine and training. By aligning with this centre, Poland aims to reinforce its position as a key hub for allied innovation and certification in counter-UAS technologies.

For the Polish Armed Forces, the cooperation offers access to tested battlefield methods such as managing drone swarms and protecting systems against electronic warfare. Defence planners argue that integrating this knowledge into procurement decisions will reduce the risk of investing in equipment unsuited for modern combat.

The ministries have also signalled intent to promote joint ventures involving Polish, Ukrainian and US companies. These ventures are expected to focus on co-design, production and servicing of equipment in Poland. Analysts note that the effectiveness of such projects will depend on how far Warsaw allows competition and private investment to play a role, rather than relying solely on state monopolies and lengthy tender processes.

The agreements reflect broader momentum among NATO members to adapt quickly to emerging threats. At the Warsaw Security Forum in late September, Ukrainian officials urged allies to build a shared “drone shield” for Europe, offering training and technology transfer as part of the effort.

For Poland, the new cooperation provides both strategic and industrial opportunities: frontline knowledge from Ukraine, a stronger position within NATO’s innovation agenda, and potential growth for its domestic defence sector. Whether it delivers long-term benefits will depend on the ability to combine battlefield lessons with open market principles to drive faster, cheaper and more resilient solutions.

Source: Warsaw Enterprise Institute (WEI)