Data Center Sites in Italy: Demand, Grid Access, Land

By Razvan Toma · Founder & CEO, Ampervia · Last checked 2026-10-13 · Sources linked below

Quick answer

Data center grid requests in Lombardy reached 44.96 GW by July 2026, 47% of the 95.86 GW requested across Italy, against national peak demand of about 58 GW: most will never be built. Italy now puts a data center and its connection into a single authorisation, and Lombardy’s 2026 law favours brownfield sites and sends projects over 10 MW to a regional conference.

44.96 GWdata center grid requests in Lombardy (Jul 2026)

Key4biz

300+data center connection projects on Terna’s grid, 50+ GW Terna Lightbox

90 daysTerna’s deadline to issue a connection quote (STMG) Terna

100–200%extra building charges on farmland under Lombardy law

HLC

What buyers ask for here

Who	Where	Size	What they buy	Written
European developer	Italy (with Spain)	10–30 MW	Sites to develop	Jul 2026
Infrastructure fund	Italy and Spain	—	Powered sites	Jul 2026
Global operator, EMEA acquisitions	Across EMEA	Large sites	Powered sites	Aug 2026

The first two rows come from July 2026 conversations being reconfirmed in writing. A seller’s agent has also offered a large ready-to-build project in Lombardy. Anonymised; stated requirements, not commitments to buy a specific site.

Where sites come from

Brownfield and regeneration areas, which Lombardy’s law favours with lower charges; for example a former steel site in Corsico now being built out by an operator.

How the power is won

Connection requests go to Terna, which issues a quote (STMG) within 90 days; the volume of requests far exceeds what will be built, so a credible, early request matters.

Planning and regulation

Decree-Law 21/2026 joins the data center and its grid connection in one authorisation and allows a temporary medium-voltage connection. Lombardy’s Law 11/2026 treats data centers over 5 MW as productive use and sends projects over 10 MW to a supra-municipal conference. HLC