According to Cointelegraph, Greece is positioning itself as a significant player in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors with the development of two new data centers by the French company Data4. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility took place on November 19, just outside Athens, marking Data4's entry into the Greek market. This initiative is set to enhance Greece's role as a central hub for connectivity and data hosting in the Mediterranean region.
The new campus is anticipated to significantly contribute to Greece's digital infrastructure, aligning with the country's ambition to lead in the technology and IT sectors. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, along with other government officials and Data4 executives, attended the ceremony. Mitsotakis emphasized the investment's potential to bolster the local economy, enhance Greece's global reputation, and create opportunities for skilled technical workers. He affirmed the government's commitment to supporting projects that drive digital transformation and foster innovation.
Data4 plans to construct at least two buildings, with the first currently under construction and expected to be completed by the end of 2026 or January 2027. The second building's construction will depend on market demand and growth in Greece, as stated by Olivier Micheli, CEO of Data4. Micheli noted that the Greek market is similar to other European countries where Data4 operates, with local firms needing data hosting solutions. He highlighted the Greek government's active role in transitioning to cloud and digital services, which facilitates citizens' lives and attracts tech giants supporting AI and cloud development.
This development follows Data4's announcement in September about its investment plans in Greece, with an estimated investment of 300 million euros for the first two data centers. If successful, a third data center could increase the total investment to 450–500 million euros. Data4 is among several companies investing in data centers across Europe, managing facilities in six European countries and aiming for a 7 billion euro expansion by 2030. Other major tech companies, like Microsoft, are also investing heavily in data centers and AI initiatives across Europe. In February, Microsoft announced a $2 billion investment in Spain for AI data centers and has a similar project in Greece, which received ministerial approval after its announcement in 2020.