MIPIM 2026: Data Centers Summit
An opening survey conducted at the beginning of the session showed that:
- Representatives from nearly 50 countries were present in the room, with Poland ranking 5th in terms of representation.
- The largest group consisted of advisors and consultants, accounting for over 40% of participants. They were followed by developers with a 22% share, and investors and fund managers at 15%.
- The survey results also confirmed that today the biggest constraint for the development of the data center sector is primarily access to energy and the ability to connect to the grid. Planning and administrative processes, as well as capital and financing, were mentioned only afterwards.
- Participants agreed that demand driven by AI is already visible and growing, although it is still at a relatively early stage.
- However, over the next three years a clear acceleration of investment activity in the region is expected.
The panel discussion focused on the fact that data centres have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the real estate and infrastructure market, with investor interest at record levels.
Yet the sector’s greatest challenge today is not access to capital, but rather access to power and grid connectivity. Demand is being driven above all by artificial intelligence, cloud services, and the growing need for data processing, while in many countries energy infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with that growth.
The speakers also pointed out that investment is gradually shifting away from the most mature markets towards new locations, where it is easier to secure power, land, and faster permitting procedures. In Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, the Nordic countries, and Central and Eastern Europe were all highlighted as promising destinations. The success of projects now depends largely on shovel-ready land, permits, energy access, and the mitigation of planning and environmental risks.
Another major theme was the importance of spatial planning and cooperation with local authorities. Without this, even large and well-funded projects can be delayed or blocked. Social acceptance is also becoming increasingly important, as local communities want to see tangible benefits from such investments, for example through the use of waste heat, environmental initiatives, or support for the local economy.
Overall conclusion from the discussion was clear: the data centre sector needs not only capital and energy, but also regulatory predictability, operational resilience, and security, as data centres are increasingly seen as critical infrastructure. At the same time, the panellists agreed that the market will continue to grow strongly, although some consolidation among operators and greater project selectivity can also be expected.
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photo: Greenfields
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