Live at Kickstart 2025! The European Data Center landscape with Frank de Fremery & Lex Coors.
Mar 21, 2025
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In this live discussion, Frank de Fremery, a savvy Data Center Consultant from IceWave, and Lex Coors, the Chief Data Center Technology Officer at Digital Realty, share their insights on the evolving European data center landscape. They explore optimal locations for new developments, the crucial role of collaboration within the supply chain, and strategies to attract fresh talent into the industry. Additionally, they address the need for better communication to reshape public perception and tackle sustainability challenges in urban environments.
The European data center landscape is shifting as companies prioritize development in well-connected cities while exploring growth in regions like Eastern Europe and Africa.
Addressing the skilled talent shortage requires the industry to reshape its image and actively engage younger, diverse individuals through educational collaborations.
Deep dives
Market Expansion and Power Constraints
The data center industry is currently experiencing significant market expansion, with companies prioritizing their locations based on proximity to highly connected campuses. Leading figures in the sector emphasized the critical nature of power availability when considering new developments, expressing that the demand for data centers is continuously rising due to the establishment of a digital economy. For instance, companies like Digital Realty are focusing on cities with robust infrastructure, while also exploring opportunities in locations like Marseille, which has emerged as a key digital hub due to its strategic cable connections. The conversation acknowledges that while the European energy grid is undergoing upgrades to meet rising demands, there are challenges related to power constraints that companies must navigate.
Emerging Opportunities in Untapped Markets
As traditional data center markets in Europe face regulatory hurdles and power limitations, there is an increasing interest in exploring untapped regions such as Eastern Europe and Africa. Experts discussed the growing demand in countries like Portugal and the potential for investments in Africa, despite the perceived risks associated with entering these markets. While places like Johannesburg are becoming more appealing, the panel stressed the necessity for companies to approach these regions with caution, balancing the opportunities against challenges like legislative and cultural barriers. There was consensus that a pivot towards these lesser-explored markets could provide the needed flexibility and growth potential in the industry.
Sustainability Challenges and Communication Gaps
Sustainability in the data center industry is evolving, with leaders expressing the need for clearer communication about the sector's impact on energy consumption and environmental considerations. The discussion highlighted the misconceptions around energy usage, emphasizing that data centers serve the digital infrastructure necessary for modern life rather than solely consuming energy. Leaders believe that overcoming public skepticism requires the industry to better articulate its contributions toward sustainability and to engage with communities effectively. The conversation also pointed to the challenges posed by political decisions that could hinder growth, underscoring the requirement for a unified message that frames data centers as essential to future infrastructure.
Talent Acquisition and Industry Perception
A key concern raised by industry leaders is the shortage of skilled talent needed to support the rapid growth of data centers, particularly regarding software development roles. While older professionals predominantly populate the industry, there is a push to attract younger individuals and diversify the workforce, including engaging with underrepresented groups such as refugees with technical skills. As the industry seeks to innovate and adopt new technologies, there is also a pivotal challenge in reshaping its image to appeal to potential talent that often overlooks data centers as a viable career path. Collaborative efforts with universities to develop industry-specific courses and initiatives aimed at enhancing the industry's public perception are seen as critical steps towards fostering a new generation of skilled workers.
In this special episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, recorded live at Kickstart 2025, Andy Davis and Pieter Schaap are joined by two industry leaders:
Frank de Fremery, Data Center Consultant.
Lex Coors, Chief Data Center Technology and Engineering Officer, Digital Realty.
Together, they explore the key factors shaping the European data centre landscape and discuss some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the industry.
Key Topics:
Where to Build Next in EMEA – The hottest locations for future development
Collaboration in the Supply Chain – How working together can drive efficiency and innovation
Perception & Communication – Changing how the industry is viewed and improving public awareness
Attracting New Talent – Strategies for bringing fresh talent into the data centre sector
Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of data centres in Europe and beyond.
The Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies.
To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect
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