CBRE: AI demand drives record Europe data centre signings
Author: Joe Peck
Demand for AI-ready data centre capacity is increasing across Europe, with emerging AI infrastructure providers, often referred to as neoclouds, securing record levels of capacity.
According to research from global commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE, signings for AI-focused colocation capacity reached 420MW in the first half of 2026, compared with 89MW during the same period in 2025.
Two thirds (66%) of the contracted capacity is expected to be delivered by data centre operators to neoclouds in the Nordic region, where lower-cost renewable power is more readily available.
The increase in AI-related capacity signings indicates growing confidence amongst data centre operators and investors in the neocloud sector.
CBRE says operators are finding ways to meet funding requirements when contracting with neoclouds, representing a shift from the more cautious investment environment seen two years ago.
Operators have also adopted measures such as rental deposits and letters of credit on some transactions to reduce financial risk.
Neoclouds secure capacity for AI workloads
Andrew Jay, Head of Data Centre Solutions, Europe at CBRE, explains, “Neoclouds have emerged as viable occupiers who are taking capacity at scale in markets typically where lower-cost power is the norm.
“It is a sign that many data centre providers are increasingly comfortable with the ambitions of neocloud providers and the financial structures that can be used to satisfy the funders.”
Kevin Restivo, Director, European Data Centre Research at CBRE, adds, “The underlying demand for compute is immense. Several neocloud companies have emerged with investment-grade customers, enabling them to secure capacity and support the growing requirements of AI workloads.
“As a result, we are seeing unprecedented growth in this segment with deployments in areas in parts of Europe where data centre development isn’t the norm.”
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