Germany to expand data center capacity driven by AI

A study by Bitkom predicts a significant expansion of Germany's data center infrastructure, with total IT connection capacity expected to rise from approximately 3,300 megawatts in 2026 to 9,700 megawatts by 2035.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High Performance Computing (HPC) are identified as primary drivers of this growth. While these technologies are projected to account for 20 percent of capacity in 2026, their share is expected to reach 55 percent by 2035. This would represent a capacity increase for AI and HPC from 670 megawatts to roughly 5,300 megawatts over that period.

Industry experts highlight the potential for Industrial AI, which involves AI applications in machinery, plants, and industrial processes. Approximately 46 percent of surveyed professionals expect Germany to play a significant role in this sector. Additionally, 68 percent of respondents anticipate that Germany will focus on training smaller AI models, with 54 percent identifying research institutions as key drivers of development.

Cloud infrastructure demand is also rising, with projected connection capacity growing from 1,900 megawatts in 2026 to over 6,000 megawatts by 2035.