Demand for AI-ready data centre capacity continues to accelerate across Europe, with emerging AI infrastructure providers, often referred to as neoclouds, securing record levels of capacity as they expand to meet growing AI compute requirements.
According to new research from CBRE, signings for AI-focused colocation capacity reached 420MW in the first half of 2026, up from 89MW compared to the same period in 2025.
Two-thirds of the contracted capacity (66%) is set to be delivered by data centre operators to neoclouds in the Nordic region, taking advantage of their low cost and plentiful supply of renewable power.
The rapid increase in AI-related capacity signings reflects growing confidence among data centre operators and investors in the neocloud sector. Data centre providers are finding ways to satisfy their funding criteria with the neoclouds, a trend that CBRE expects will mark a significant shift in the investment climate from the caution that characterised the market just two years ago.
Operators have adopted measures to mitigate risk, including rental deposits and letters of credit on certain transactions, helping facilitate commitments.
Andrew Jay, Head of Data Centre Solutions, Europe, explained: “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, said: “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.”
