Key takeaways
Operators across the UK and Europe expect to commission 42% more data centre capacity in 2026 than in 2025 (RLB, 2026).
Commissioned capacity in 2026 is expected to be 319% higher than in 2023 (RLB, 2026).
Europe is on track for around 13GW of total data centre capacity by the end of 2026 (CBRE).
In Q2 2026, 63% of new supply was built outside the FLAP-D markets (CBRE).
Power access and skilled labour shortages are now the biggest limits on growth (EUDCA, RLB).
Europe's data centre boom is creating a new set of bottlenecks.
Capacity has grown faster than almost anyone predicted in 2023, and the conversation has moved on. It is no longer only about who is investing. It is about whether there is enough power, enough skilled people and enough delivery capacity to keep up.
The short answer
According to RLB's Data Centre Trends Report 2026, operators across the UK and Europe expect to commission 42% more capacity in 2026 than in 2025. That adds up to a 319% increase in commissioned capacity since 2023.
So how much data centre capacity does Europe have today? CBRE expects Europe's total data centre capacity to reach around 13GW by the end of 2026, roughly a fifth more than a year earlier.
The numbers behind the growth
Capacity is measured in megawatts (MW) of IT power, because power is what limits how many servers a site can run. Here is how the curve has built up, year by year:
2023: JLL expected the FLAP-D markets to add around 423MW, already a record pace at the time.
2024: CBRE recorded 655MW of new colocation capacity delivered across Europe.
2025: CBRE forecast 937MW of new colocation supply, close to 1GW in a single year.
2026: around 700MW of new supply came online in the second quarter alone, based on CBRE figures.
Live capacity across the FLAP-D hubs has roughly doubled, from about 1.8GW in 2019 to around 3.8GW in 2026. Looking ahead, the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) forecasts €176 billion of cumulative investment between 2026 and 2031, with IT power demand growing by around 17% a year.
Where the new capacity is going
The growth story is no longer only a FLAP-D story. FLAP-D is short for Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin, Europe's five biggest data centre hubs. In Q2 2026, 63% of new supply landed outside those five cities.
Core markets are tight: vacancy across Europe's core markets sits around 6.4%, and Frankfurt is close to 3%.
Projects are moving further out: JLL found the 2026 to 2028 pipeline sits on average 175km from major hubs, compared with 46km for projects delivered between 2022 and 2025.
New hubs are rising: Spain, Italy, the Nordics and Central Europe are all attracting large campus investments.
For anyone working in the sector, that means opportunities are spreading across far more locations than a few years ago.
The new bottlenecks: power, people and delivery
As demand grows, three constraints are shaping the next phase of growth.
Power: 67% of operators in the EUDCA's 2026 report named access to power as their biggest operational challenge. In the most congested markets, RaboResearch analysts warn that grid connections can take 10 years or more.
Workforce: RLB's research shows skilled labour shortages are increasing delivery and commissioning risk. Electrical, mechanical, commissioning and HSE specialists are needed on almost every project.
Project delivery: permitting delays and supply chain volatility are stretching timelines, and late delivery now carries real financial and reputational consequences.
Put simply, capital is no longer the main limit. Power and people are.
What this means for data centre professionals
If you work in data centre construction, operations or critical facilities, this is one of the strongest job markets the industry has seen.
Experienced electrical and mechanical engineers, commissioning managers and site leads are in demand across FLAP-D and beyond.
Secondary markets are opening new roles, often with growing teams and long project pipelines.
Certifications and safety credentials matter more than ever as clients push for faster, safer delivery.
At DC People, we work only in the data centre industry. We connect technical and operational professionals with projects across Europe, from hyperscale builds to live critical environments. Browse our open data centre jobs or get in touch with our team to talk about your next move.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has European data centre capacity grown since 2023?
Operators expect the capacity they commission in 2026 to be 319% higher than in 2023, based on RLB's survey of 700 senior decision makers across the UK and Europe. CBRE expects total European data centre capacity to reach around 13GW by the end of 2026.
What is FLAP-D?
FLAP-D stands for Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin. These are Europe's five largest and most established data centre hubs.
How is data centre capacity measured?
Data centre capacity is measured in megawatts (MW) or gigawatts (GW) of IT power, not in floor space. Power is the real limit on how many servers a site can run, so MW is the standard the whole industry uses.
Why is data centre growth moving outside FLAP-D?
Limited power, low vacancy and long grid connection queues in the core cities are pushing developers towards new locations with better access to land and energy.
What is the biggest challenge for European data centre growth?
Access to power is the most cited barrier. Skilled labour shortages and project delivery delays follow closely behind.
Which data centre roles are most in demand right now?
Electrical and mechanical engineers, commissioning specialists, project and construction managers and HSE professionals are all in high demand as new capacity is built and brought online.
