# Italy bolsters digital hub with €25bn+ data-center projects

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-digital-hub-expansion
> Updated: 2026-08-21T17:08:13.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026, Italy accelerated its digital transformation agenda. A regional European Digital Innovation Hub in Friuli Venezia Giulia used its full PNRR allocation to deliver €4.5 million of AI, high-performance computing and cybersecurity services to more than 300 SMEs, while a ministerial road-show promoted digitisation of public-sector procedures and new training facilities.

A few days later, on 24 July, the cabinet, at the proposal of Business and Made-in-Italy Minister Adolfo Urso, declared two €8 billion data-centre programmes of strategic national interest. The “Equinix for Italy” project will construct seven new data-processing sites in Settimo Milanese and Cusago between 2026 and 2033, and the “Cavour Hyperscale Campus” will transform a former power-plant in Vercelli into a hyperscale facility. Both will run entirely on renewable energy, create roughly 1,500 construction jobs and more than 500 permanent positions, and are presented as a cornerstone of Italy’s push to become a European hub for AI, high-tech investment and digital sovereignty.

By August 2026, the scale of digital infrastructure investment in Italy has expanded significantly. The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy estimates that seven investment programs, all designated as having preeminent national strategic interest, represent a total value exceeding €25 billion. In the Milan metropolitan area, data center activity is growing rapidly; while existing facilities average under 10 MW, new projects are targeting 30 MW, with some under evaluation potentially reaching 300 MW. Notable developments include the planned €5.3 billion K2 hyperscale campus near Milan and the Digital Vault Sulcis project in Sardinia.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: Data center investments in Italy exceed 25 billion euros

Italy is investing over 25 billion euros in strategic digital infrastructure, led by massive data center expansions in Milan and Sardinia to bolster national technological capacity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/data-center-investments-in-italy-exceed-25-billion-euros

### 2026-07-24: Italy declares €8 bn data‑center projects of strategic national importance

Italy’s cabinet declared two €4 bn data‑center projects strategically important, targeting €8 bn total investment, renewable power, AI growth and hundreds of jobs.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italpress-economy-show-interviews-xenia-hotellerie-ceo-on-italian-savings

### 2026-07-21: Italian digital hubs deliver €4.5 million services to boost SMEs

Italy’s Friuli‑Venezia Giulia digital hub spent €3.9 M of PNRR funds to deliver €4.5 M of AI, HPC and cybersecurity services to 328 firms, while Minister Zangrillo promoted a road‑show to simplify bureaucracy,

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-digital-hubs-deliver-45-million-services-to-boost-smes

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Cite as: Italy bolsters digital hub with €25bn+ data-center projects. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-digital-hub-expansion