Greece begins $300M data center project near Athens

Greece has commenced construction on a new data center near Athens as part of a $300 million investment by French firm Data4.

The project, announced on November 19, aims to position Greece as a regional hub for technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure in the Mediterranean.

The ground-breaking ceremony in Paiania, East Attica, was attended by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and senior officials from Data4.

“The government is committed to supporting projects that drive digital transformation and foster innovation,” stated Mitsotakis, highlighting the project’s significance.

He emphasised the initiative’s potential to boost Greece’s economy, enhance its global image, and create opportunities for skilled technical professionals.

Data4’s plans include constructing at least two data centers, with the first expected to be operational by late 2026 or early 2027.

CEO Olivier Micheli explained that the timeline for the second facility will depend on market demand and Greece’s digital growth acceleration.

He also noted the government’s proactive role in promoting cloud adoption and digital transformation to improve public services.

The Greek project is part of Data4’s broader €7 billion investment strategy to expand its presence across Europe by 2030.

Currently operating in six European countries, Data4 aims to strengthen Greece’s role as a key player in regional connectivity and data hosting.

“The government here is very active and has a program transition to the cloud and digital to facilitate the lives of the citizens,” Micheli added.