Lombardia approves new regulations for data center development

The Lombardy regional government has approved legislative changes to regulate the opening of new data centers within the territory. The move aims to define development methods for digital infrastructure, balancing the need for regulatory certainty with concerns regarding environmental protection and land use.

Infrastructure investments in the sector are estimated to reach 36.9 billion euros between 2026 and 2036, potentially creating approximately 26,000 full-time jobs over the next decade. While 80% of the affected areas involve already urbanized or disused land, the legislation has sparked debate. Opposition parties have called for a moratorium on new authorizations, citing concerns over water consumption and the preservation of green spaces.

The Italian Datacenter Association (IDA) expressed cautious optimism, noting that the changes may reinforce principles already adopted by operators during plant design. The association maintained that many public concerns are manageable under existing legislative tools and that the sector remains attentive to territorial impact.