Data centers could bring in €26Bn to Portugal’s economy by 2030

A study from Copenhagen Economics has revealed the the data centres sector could contribute up to €26Bn to Portugal’s GDP . €4.4Bn annually – and create 50,000 full time jobs by 2030.

Artificial Intelligence will decisively drive substantial investments in the latest generation, strategically efficient data centres according to the study.

Start Campus, with its SINES DC campus, will become one of the main digital and AI infrastructures in Europe, well placed to drive this economic growth with a totally secure network of 1.2GW of IT with its first building SIN01 already up and running.

The study Evaluation of the Socioeconomic Benefits of the Data Center Sector in Portugal, released on Monday, estimates that the sector could sustain up to 50,000 full-time jobs per year – including direct, indirect and induced – if there are favorable investment and regulatory conditions.

Between 2022 and 2024, data centers have already contributed €311 million to Portuguese GDP, supporting around 1,700 jobs per year, attracting and retaining qualified professionals, strengthening regional cohesion and opening new paths in education.

The report highlights Portugal’s qualified talent in areas relevant to data centers, with around 230,000 ICT specialists and a high proportion of graduates in STEM areas.

The study also highlights that by 2030, around 70% of computing capacity will be dedicated to AI applications, highlighting the need for modern, resilient and sustainable infrastructures. Demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 33% by the end of the decade.

The widespread adoption of cloud computing, big data and AI solutions by companies and public entities depends on the existence of efficient and scalable data centers, capable of guaranteeing connectivity with low latency. This foundation is critical to ensuring the potential of digital technologies for businesses, public services and users.

“Portugal has all the conditions to become a benchmark digital and AI hub in Europe: strategic connectivity, clean energy and highly qualified professionals.

This study confirms that with the right public policies data centres could be drivers for economic growth and territorial cohesion”, said Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus.

“Portugal is emerging as a relevant European destination for data centres investment but its potential is not guaranteed given the intense international competition to house digital infrastructures.

We have seen significant economic benefits from existing centers alone that represent a fraction of future opportunities”, added the Director of Copenhagen Economics, Dr. Bruno Basalisco.