How incentives can unlock flexibility in European data centres by 2030
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From rigid load to grid asset: How incentives can unlock flexibility in European data centres by 2030
Europe’s data centre boom is accelerating. But as demand for digital infrastructure grows, electricity networks are coming under increasing strain. Grid congestion, long connection queues and rising system costs are already reshaping where and how data centres can be built and operated.
This whitepaper explores a critical question for the sector: how can data centres move from being inflexible, high-impact loads to becoming valuable grid assets?
Rather than prescribing a single solution, the report examines how incentive design, spanning grid connections, sustainability, reliability and market access, could unlock flexibility at scale. Drawing on real-world European examples, it outlines what must change for data centres to support system resilience while protecting uptime, commercial performance and long-term growth.
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Read nowGrid connection queue time
Grid connection queue time considers point from formal connection application to fully-energised grid connection for a large data centre, assuming some grid reinforcement is needed.
Note: 'Queue' years in map only relate to grid-constrained local areas rather than a nationwide issue.
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What's inside?
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An overview of data centre growth in Europe and the regions facing the highest electricity grid congestion and connection delays.
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A structured framework for unlocking data centre flexibility across grid access, sustainability, reliability and energy market participation.
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How data centre operators, transmission system operators, policymakers and local communities benefit from flexible demand.
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A forward-looking view of how data centres could evolve from rigid electricity loads into active contributors to grid resilience and the energy transition by 2030.
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