Survey Says: Data Centre Expansion to Continue

By Greg McNevin

February 23, 2009: According to a new study form Dublin’s Digital Reality Trust an increasing number of European countries are planning data centre expansions despite the economic downturn.

Conducted by Campos Research & Analysis, the survey of senior decision makers who are either directly responsible for datacentres or influence significant decisions related to datacentre operations at large European organisations found that more than four out of five companies are planning data centre expansions within the next two years.

Furthermore, over a quarter of those canvassed are actively planning immediate datacentre expansion projects for 2009, while 69 percent of companies are planning projects that will commence in 12-24 months.

Compared to 2008’s survey, the company has recorded a 117 percent increase in the number of firms seeking more than 2,500 square metres for their datacentres. It cites this as an indication that the scope of datacentre projects has grown significantly.

Also compared to last year’s survey results, there has been a 22 percent increase in projected average datacentre space requirements from 1,300 square metres to 1,600 square metres – another significant increase that Digital Reality Trust says will impact the balance of supply and demand for datacentre space in European markets.

“Despite the dramatic changes in the economic climate, this year’s results indicate that an even larger proportion of European companies are planning datacentre projects. Moreover, these projects are bigger by every measure,” said Bernard Geoghegan, Senior Vice President at Digital Realty Trust who oversees International Operations.

“These trends corroborate what we are continuing to hear from so many of our customers – that datacentres have become critical corporate assets that ensure competitiveness in difficult times and that will drive growth when economic conditions improve.”

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