Greece Set to Launch Massive New Data Center as AI Demand Soars
Greece Accelerates Growth of Big Data Infrastructure
Why the Shift?
In response to a surge of data‑processing needs across Europe and the globe, Greek authorities are launching a substantial investment programme aimed at building state‑of‑the‑art data centres. This initiative is set to position Greece as a pivotal hub for cloud services and analytics.
Key Components of the Plan
- Construction of three major data‑centre campuses spanning a combined 300,000 square metres.
- Partnerships with international tech firms to secure cutting‑edge hardware and energy‑efficient cooling systems.
- Development of a robust national fibre‑optic backbone to ensure low‑latency connectivity.
Projected Impact
Experts predict that the new facilities will:
- Boost Greece’s digital economy by an estimated 12% over the next decade.
- Create upwards of 15,000 high‑skill jobs, ranging from engineers to data scientists.
- Offer European businesses a reliable alternative to existing hosting clusters, reducing carbon footprints thanks to green‑energy commitments.
Next Steps
Construction is slated to begin in Q4 2025, with the first centre expected to commence operations by the end of 2027. Continuous support from EU technology funds will further accelerate the project’s rollout.
Greece Unveils Second‑Largest Data Center Amid AI‑Driven Demand
Metlen, the energy and industrial firm, announced that its newest hub—nicknamed Athens‑3 (ATH3)—has been handed over to Digital Reality, a global operator boasting more than 300 data centers worldwide. The facility sits on a former industrial site in Koropi, just north of Athens International Airport.
Key Features of ATH3
- Spans 8,600 square metres
- Provides cloud services and comprehensive data storage and management
- Targets users across Greece, southeastern Europe, and beyond
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has fueled a scramble to construct data centers that can offer the massive computing power required for training and deploying advanced models. In Europe, analysts predict a threefold increase in demand by 2030, according to a McKinsey study.
ATH3 represents the latest chapter in Greece’s push toward cutting‑edge technologies. During the official opening in 2022, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared:
“I have not hidden my ambition.”
“Within five years, the technology sector will contribute 10% to our national GDP.”
Digital Reality already operates Athens‑1 (ATH1), Athens‑2 (ATH2), and Heraklion‑1 (HER1) in Greece. The new center adds a significant footprint to the country’s digital infrastructure.
However, Greece is not the sole foreign investor in the sector. Late last year, French firm DATA4 inaugurated a new campus in Peania, east of Athens. The ceremony, supported by the Franco‑Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed DATA4’s announcement of an investment exceeding €300 million.
DATA4’s European Expansion
CEO Olivier Micheli explained that this input is part of a broader plan to invest €7 billion in European data centers by 2030, positioning the company as the continent’s leading provider. Aside from France and Greece, DATA4 operates in Italy, Spain, Poland, and Germany.
The Peania campus will occupy 75 acres and is slated for operational readiness in early 2027. The group projects the creation of:
- More than 7,000 permanent positions across its European campuses by 2030
- Over 500 permanent roles in Greece alone
