Data centres, investments of 4.8 billion expected in five years

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The numerical reference on the data center market in Italy that can best give the algebraic measure of change and growth is the one that photographs the difference in the amount of investments in the four-year period 2019-2023 compared with the commitments planned for 2024-2028. We are talking about 1.6 billion in the first case. And 4.8 billion for investments planned between now and 2028. Essentially tripled.

«These are important numbers. But I would like to point out that in just 18 months’ time the expected investments are in the order of a billion euros for around twenty projects. And this is not an insignificant number since the multiplier for the economy, compared to investments in data centers, is one in ten. Therefore, one billion in investments is equivalent to 10 billion in benefits for the economy.” This is said by Emmanuel Becker, CEO of Equinix and president of Ida-Italian Datacenter Association: the Italian association of data center manufacturers and operators which has around 120 associated companies representing more than 90% of the Italian market in the sector and for a total turnover exceeding 5 billion euros.

An association born at the end of 2022 to represent a rapidly expanding sector inevitably determined by the growth in demand for digital services from consumers, businesses and the public sector, as well as by the digitalisation of business processes.

Data centers, networks and electrical infrastructure are critical to supporting this growth. Which is also reflected in significant numbers regarding employment. According to the association’s analysis, put in black and white in a document at the end of March, data centers in Italy guarantee 28,170 jobs in Italy. Of these, 8 thousand are employed directly and 13,500 in the indirect value chain. Moreover, the association points out, the indirect creation of jobs is due to the fact that in addition to construction and installation activities, for data centers there is often a need to hire external personnel for security or for a whole other series of operational and maintenance support roles. Other jobs are created in sectors such as hospitality, transport, public services. To complete the picture there are over 6,700 employees employed in the related industries.

In short, a whole group that is functional to growth, not only economic, which can concern a wide space ranging from local supply chains – especially those that will take care of construction sites for future development – up to the Municipalities that will benefit from it to strengthen services to citizens. «So far – explains Becker to Sole 24 Ore – we have not had any problems in terms of job profiles and skills. At this point, however, development is such that we risk having a shortage of specialized personnel. It is no coincidence that as an association, in collaboration with some universities, we have made ad hoc scholarships available.”