Datacenters and energy: why 100 GW of requests are not 100 GW of projects
Connection requests to Terna have passed 100 GW, but estimates point to 1.5-2 GW of real demand by 2030. What sets a…
Technologies
Datacenter
The infrastructure of data: site, permits, grid and energy, tackled together.
Overview
The connection point has become the scarcest asset
Requesting one costs little compared with the value it can take on, which is why the queue includes concrete initiatives alongside mere grid reservations.
A datacenter consumes continuously, while solar and wind produce according to the conditions of the moment. It therefore makes sense to tackle site development and energy supply together, from the first assessments.
The numbers
The requests and the reality
Requests
Over 100 GW
Connection requests to Terna in 2026, up from about 30 GW at the end of 2024.
Estimate
1,5-2 GW
Actual new load by around 2030, according to Terna's recurring estimate.
Geography
About 47%
Lombardy's share alone on 31 July 2026, while much of the renewable potential is in the South and on the islands.
A solid project
What sets it apart from a grid reservation
Land
Actual availability, compatible zoning, access and fibre.
Permits
A clear permitting route, with environmental assessments already set up.
Load profile
Capacity justified by a user or a marketing plan, with realistic growth phases.
Cooling
Technology choices consistent with the site's climate and water availability.
Grid
A connection solution compatible with the project schedule.
Energy
Long-term contracts, different technologies and, where it makes sense, storage.
How we step in
At every phase, or only where we're needed
Construction supervision and project management
Coordination of site, schedule, costs and suppliers.
Further reading
Find out more
Storage and MACSE: what to check before developing a BESS
The second MACSE auction awards 16 GWh for 2029 delivery. But the contract is only part of the assessment: connection, site and permits decide…
Free activity, PAS or single authorisation: how to read the Italian Renewables Consolidated Act
Legislative Decree 190/2024 reorganised permits into three regimes. How to tell which applies to a plant and what to check before filing…
Let's talk about your next project
Tell us where you stand: we'll tell you at which phase we can help.