Data center, from Amazon to OpenAi: investments of 27 billion in Italy underway

A strategy is being developed to determine the locations for new data centers in Italy, aiming to prevent saturation in already popular areas. The Foreign Investment Attraction Committee (Caie), led by Minister Adolfo Urso, emphasizes careful management of data center growth, as seven out of ten major national strategic programs involve data centers, valued at €26.9 billion. The committee plans to involve regions in proposing suitable areas and aims to engage the Italian supply chain for components and energy. As of August 31, requests for new data center connections exceeded 100 gigawatts, with Lombardy accounting for nearly half. Foreign direct investments reached €13.6 billion in the first half of 2026, highlighting the importance of foreign-controlled companies in Italy's economy. The committee also proposed measures to enhance investment incentives and streamline project approvals.