Khazna Data Centers and Italian energy leader Eni have embarked on an ambitious project to construct a 500 MW data center campus in the Lombardy region of Italy. This project, centered on AI and high-performance computing workloads, is part of a larger strategic plan between Italy and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish 1 GW of IT capacity across the country.
The data center campus, anticipated to be located in Ferrera Erbognone, signifies a considerable development in the partnership between the UAE and Italy. Focused on harnessing low-carbon “Blue Power,” the facility plans to use energy from a gas plant equipped with CO2 capture technology. Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers, expressed pride in this collaboration, emphasizing the venture as a decisive step in their European expansion. This collaboration is set to address the escalating demand for AI workloads across Europe through a sustainable and scalable digital infrastructure.
The initiative aims to incorporate Khazna’s expertise in hyperscale data centers and Eni’s prowess in low-carbon energy. Guido Brusco, COO of global natural resources at Eni, noted that the joint effort will deliver a crucial hyperscale infrastructure for Italy and Europe. He acknowledged the project’s strategic importance and the partnership’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and speed to market.
The implementation of “blue power,” involves generating low-carbon electricity using high-efficiency gas power plants with integrated CO2 capture. This facility may set a precedent in Europe by combining data center infrastructure with comprehensive carbon reduction strategies.
The project is not just about providing infrastructure but also about environmental stewardship. As AI data centers require significant power, incorporating sustainable energy sources aligns with global trends towards reducing carbon footprints. However, addressing the power consumption challenge remains pivotal.
