Data Centres in Poland – Perspectives and Challenges. What Are Hyperscalers Looking For?

2 October 2025
Data Centres
Table of contents

Poland’s Data Centre Market – Dynamic Growth Driven by Global Tech Giants

Poland is rapidly strengthening its position as a strategic data centre hub in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The country’s current operational capacity stands at approximately 173 MW, while total commercial floor space has exceeded 119,000 m². According to PMR forecasts, total capacity is expected to triple to more than 500 MW by 2030, representing an average annual growth rate of around 25 %.

Warsaw dominates the data centre landscape, accounting for over 60 % of Poland’s total commercial server space. This concentration is due to the capital’s strategic location, access to robust energy infrastructure and proximity to major internet exchange points. Key development areas include former industrial zones such as FSO Żerań, Huta Warszawa in Bielany and the districts of Wola and Ursus. The legacy power infrastructure in these locations is ideally suited to the demands of modern hyperscale facilities.

Market Growth Drivers

This rapid development is being fuelled by the presence of global hyperscale operators. Microsoft is expanding its large-scale data centre campus near Warsaw as part of the Poland Central region. Google continues to grow its Google Cloudinfrastructure, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched a local zone in the capital.

Other major investors such as Equinix, Vantage Data Centers, EdgeConneX and Data4 are delivering large-scale projects, mainly around Warsaw.

Poland holds a strong position in the European data centre market. The country ranks sixth in Europe in terms of the total number of data centres and is the undisputed leader in the CEE region. Growing investor interest is driven by several factors: Poland’s strategic geographic location, expanding fibre and energy infrastructure, and rising demand for digital services across the region.

Hyperscaler Requirements – Key Location and Technical Criteria

Hyperscalers – global technology leaders such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon – have highly specific requirements for the location and technical specification of data centre facilities. Their demands go far beyond the standard needs of typical enterprise colocation clients.

Energy Infrastructure as a Foundation

Energy infrastructure forms the cornerstone of any hyperscale investment. Large-scale data centres require power capacities exceeding 100 MW. Electricity costs can account for 25 – 40 % of a facility’s total operating costs. Microsoft estimates that one of its new facilities may consume more than 100 MW annually. Such requirements necessitate access to high-capacity grid connections and guaranteed, stable power supply.

Network Connectivity and Redundancy

Connectivity requirements are equally critical. Hyperscalers require high-capacity fibre connections from multiple carriers. Supplier diversity reduces outage risk and ensures redundancy. Proximity to major internet exchanges and network hubs is strategically important for service quality and latency.

Tier III as the Minimum Standard

Technical requirements include at least Tier III classification. This standard guarantees 99.982 % uptime and N+1 redundancy for power and cooling systems. The infrastructure must ensure uninterrupted operations even during planned or unplanned maintenance events.

Location assessments must also consider geotechnical conditions such as soil load-bearing capacity, groundwater levels and flood risk. In addition, good transport connectivity is essential to provide rapid access for technical personnel and equipment logistics.

Analysis of Major Players – Investment Strategies of Global Operators

Microsoft – Aggressive Expansion

Microsoft is pursuing the most aggressive expansion strategy in Poland. In 2023, it launched the Poland Central region, consisting of three independent physical locations in the Warsaw area. As part of its Polska Dolina Cyfrowa programme, Microsoft plans to invest a further USD 700 million (PLN 2.8 billion) by mid-2026. The region supports Azure, Microsoft 365 and, in the future, Dynamics 365 and Power Platform services.

Google – Cloud-First Strategy

Google Cloud Poland, operational since 2021, leverages infrastructure provided by local data centre operators. Although investment details remain confidential, analysts estimate the project’s value in the billions of zloty. Google’s focus is on delivering scalable cloud services for the CEE region.

AWS – Gradual Expansion

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has opted for a phased expansion strategy. In 2022, it launched its Local Zone in Warsaw, enabling customers to deploy applications with millisecond-level latency. This solution is particularly suited for latency-sensitive workloads and those with strict data residency requirements.

Equinix – Interconnection-Driven Growth

Equinix follows a consistent infrastructure expansion strategy centred on interconnection. The company operates three data centres (WA1, WA2, WA3) with a combined floor space of 5,773 m² and total capacity of 7.94 MW. A fourth facility (WA4) is currently under construction. A key competitive advantage of Equinix is its global interconnection platform, linking 240 facilities across 27 countries.

First Campus in Warsaw

Vantage Data Centers opened its first Warsaw campus as part of a USD 2 billion European expansion plan. The facility provides 48 MW of computing power across 36,000 m². The 5-hectare site is powered entirely by renewable energy and features advanced air-cooling systems.

Data4 entered the Polish market in 2023 with €2.2 billion in financing, of which €500 million is dedicated exclusively to Poland. The French group specialises in wholesale services, primarily targeting hyperscalers.

Atman remains the market leader domestically, with 91 % occupancy across its existing facilities. The company has invested more than €300 million in expanding capacity to 43 MW and is currently constructing the WAW-3 data centre in Duchnice, near Ożarów Mazowiecki.

Key Challenges – Energy, Regulation and Cybersecurity

Rising electricity prices represent the single greatest challenge for data centre operators in Poland. Studies indicate that 80% of decision-makers in the sector view energy costs as their primary concern. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Poland structurally has higher wholesale electricity prices than many other EU countries, putting the country at a competitive disadvantage compared to alternative European locations.

A potential solution is to increase the share of renewable energy sources. Without access to relatively low-cost renewable energy, Poland risks missing the opportunity to become the digital hub of the CEE region. Operators are increasingly demanding 100% renewable energy for their facilities. Beyond.pl became the first operator in Poland to run its infrastructure entirely on renewables. On-site photovoltaic installations and long-term corporate power purchase agreements (cPPAs) are quickly becoming industry standards.

Additional Security Requirements

New cybersecurity regulations introduce additional obligations for operators. The NIS2 Directive, coming into force in 2025, will cover a much broader range of entities than its predecessor. Companies providing ICT services, including data centre operators, will be required to implement cyber risk management measures and establish incident reporting systems.

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), applicable from January 2025, will affect financial sector entities. It mandates regular digital resilience testing and detailed incident reporting. Since financial institutions make up a significant share of data centre customers, DORA’s requirements will directly impact operators’ operations and compliance strategies.

Another significant challenge is the shortage of qualified specialists. The data centre sector demands experts in power infrastructure, cooling systems and cybersecurity. Microsoft has pledged to train one million Polish workers in digital skills by the end of 2025. These programmes include training in AI, cybersecurity and advanced digital capabilities.

Trends 2025 – Artificial Intelligence as the Main Driver of Change

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping data centre requirements. By 2025, the impact of AI-intensive computing workloads will be one of the dominant forces shaping the industry. Advanced computing tasks are shifting from traditional CPUs to GPUs to leverage the parallel processing power of modern graphics processors.

The growing computing density demands a revolution in power and cooling systems. AI-optimised racks require three- or even four-digit kilowatt capacities per rack. Load levels can rapidly fluctuate from 10% idle state to 150% peak utilisation, placing enormous pressure on power distribution and thermal management systems.

Liquid Cooling Becomes the Standard

Traditional air-cooling systems are no longer sufficient. Operators are increasingly adopting direct-to-chip liquid cooling (cold-plate cooling) and immersion cooling solutions. Hybrid liquid–air and liquid–liquid systems are commonly deployed in row-based rack configurations to maintain thermal efficiency.

The rising demands driven by AI workloads also increase the need for advanced energy management systems. Data centres must dynamically adjust to fluctuating loads while maintaining maximum energy efficiency. Automation and real-time monitoring systems are becoming essential components of modern facility management.

At the same time, sustainability pressures are growing in parallel with AI expansion. Global data centre energy consumption is expected to be 80% higher in 2026 than in 2022. According to Goldman Sachs, total consumption could double from 498 TWh to 1,076 TWh by 2030. This trend forces operators to invest in renewable energy sources and energy-efficiency technologies to remain competitive and compliant.

Security Challenges in the Age of AI

Cybersecurity is becoming more complex in the era of AI. Artificial intelligence both enhances and complicates security capabilities. The increasing frequency of ransomware attacks requires sophisticated threat detection and incident response systems. Data centres must integrate AI-driven solutions to continuously monitor, predict and mitigate potential threats.

Conclusion – Poland’s Future as a Digital Hub in Europe

The future of Poland’s data centre market depends largely on how effectively the country addresses its energy and regulatory challenges. Poland has a genuine opportunity to position itself as the leading digital hub of Central and Eastern Europe, provided it can secure competitive renewable energy prices and ensure smooth implementation of new cybersecurity regulations.

The multi-billion-euro investments by hyperscalers confirm the market’s enormous potential. Strategic decisions made in the coming months will determine Poland’s position within the broader European data centre ecosystem for years to come.

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