Apto Lacchiarella Data-Center Campus
Status: Announced / Early Development Phase | Location: Lacchiarella (Milan Metropolitan Area), Italy
Project Overview
The Apto Lacchiarella Data-Centre Campus near Milan, Italy, represents a critical $3.4 billion USD investment in Southern Europe's digital infrastructure. With a planned capacity of 300 MW across up to five distinct data centre buildings, this project positions the Milan metropolitan area as a burgeoning Tier-1 Emerging European Market for hyperscale cloud and enterprise colocation. The facility is strategically designed to meet the skyrocketing demands for digital services driven by widespread Italian digitalisation and AI adoption. The campus boasts a massive footprint of $228,000$ square meters, providing the necessary scale for major international tenants, including hyperscale cloud providers. Its location in Lacchiarella, close to Milan, ensures excellent Network Connectivity and low latency to the financial and commercial heart of Italy. Furthermore, the Milan market is increasingly vital due to its proximity to crucial international connectivity points, offering seamless access to high-capacity subsea cable systems like BlueMed and 2Africa, which link Europe to the Middle East and Africa.Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Apto Lacchiarella design. The campus is committed to utilising Renewable Sources for power and is being built with low-carbon building materials, aiming for LEED Gold certification. It will also feature substantial rooftop solar panels (up to $2,725 \text{ kWp}$) to supplement its energy needs. The advanced cooling system is specifically engineered to handle the high thermal density of modern computing equipment, making the campus fully equipped for intensive AI and Machine Learning workloads. With construction expected to begin in 2026 and the first phase anticipated to go live by 2027/2028, the Apto Lacchiarella Data-Centre Campus is set to dramatically increase Italy's digital capacity. This development is not only a technological upgrade but a strategic move to secure Italy's role as a key digital hub connecting Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the wider EMEA region.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Apto Lacchiarella Data-Center Campus |
| Location | Lacchiarella (Milan Metropolitan Area), Italy |
| Status | Announced / Early Development Phase |
| Commissioning | Phased commissioning expected to begin in 2027/2028 |
| Total IT Load | 300 MW |
| Total Capacity | Up to five separate data center buildings on a campus covering $228,000$ square meters. |
| Tier Level | Hyperscale Standard (Expected Tier-III+ / Tier-IV design for high reliability and availability). |
| Project Type | Hyperscale Cloud, AI, and Colocation Campus (Designed for heavy, demanding workloads). |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Lacchiarella |
| Population | 3.2 Million |
| Urban Agglomeration | 7.4 Million |
| City GDP | €228 billion in 2024 |
| Per Capita Income | Per Capita Income |
| City Tier | Tier 1 |
| Key Strengths | Strategic location as a gateway between Southern Europe and the Mediterranean; strong cloud/hyperscale demand; connectivity hub; access to finance. |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Apto |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | (Self-developed platform) |
| Construction Contractor | Will utilize major local and international EPC firms |
| MEP Engineering | N/A |
| Network Connectivity | Strategic connectivity to Milan's financial and commercial hub; access to international subsea cable systems like BlueMed and 2Africa. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dedicated utility connection to secure the large power draw; designed with renewable sourcing in mind. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 300 MW |
| UPS Redundancy | Standard hyperscale design (Likely N+1 minimum, with higher redundancy in critical areas). |
| Cooling System | Advanced, efficient cooling systems optimized for handling high-density AI racks; focuses on minimizing water usage. |
| Connectivity | Fiber-rich; access to BlueMed and 2Africa submarine cables |
| PUE Target | Designed for high efficiency and long-term sustainability |
| Energy Mix | Access to renewable energy sources; rooftop solar panels (up to 2,725 kWp) |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | May 2025 |
| Construction Start | Expected post-permitting |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | N/A |
| Full Buildout | N/A |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | €3 Billion |
| Funding | Financial backing from PIMCO |