Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a $1.3 billion (€1.2 billion) investment to expand its data center presence in Italy. This investment, which will take place over the next five years, focuses on expanding AWS operations in Milan and reinforcing Italy’s role as a strategic point in the global data center ecosystem.
Job Creation and Local Economic Growth
AWS’s initiative is expected to generate up to 5,500 jobs across the entire data center supply chain by 2029, including positions in areas such as construction, facility maintenance, engineering, telecommunications, and other local economic sectors. With this expansion, AWS continues to strengthen its commitment to the Italian economy, driving not only digital infrastructure but also job creation opportunities in the Lombardy region.
Since May of this year, AWS has been in discussions regarding this investment, considering the option of expanding its site in Milan or establishing a new headquarters in Rome. Ultimately, the company has decided to expand its existing data center region in Lombardy, where new facilities will be built. According to the local media Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy could serve as a base for providing computational capacity aimed at artificial intelligence (AI) projects in Africa, under the so-called Mattei Plan.
Italy on the AWS Digital Infrastructure Map
AWS’s first cloud region in Italy was launched in 2020, when the company promised a $2.2 billion investment through 2029. This new $1.3 billion commitment reinforces AWS’s position in the country and underscores the importance of Italy as a key node within the company’s global data center network.
AWS has made significant investments in other European countries in recent years. Earlier this year, the company announced a $17 billion investment in data centers in Spain, a considerable increase from the $2.72 billion initially committed for the country. Additionally, AWS has announced a long-term investment plan in Germany, allocating $8.48 billion by 2050 for the development of a European Sovereign Cloud, designed to meet strict European privacy and security standards.
Commitment to Digital Infrastructure and Sovereignty in Europe
AWS’s expansion in Italy adds to a series of strategic moves in Europe to strengthen digital infrastructure on the continent. Recently, Microsoft also confirmed a $4.75 billion investment to expand its data center infrastructure in Italy, aimed at both cloud and artificial intelligence. With the growth of the data market and the demand for AI solutions, these investments position themselves as a response to the need for robust infrastructure to support and develop advanced applications and critical services in the region.
These investment initiatives not only reflect the confidence of major tech corporations in the stability and growth potential of the European digital economy, but also respond to the increasing need for data infrastructure that complies with the privacy and data protection regulations of the European Union.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
AWS and other tech companies that have announced significant investments in data centers in Europe have emphasized sustainability and energy efficiency in these facilities. AWS, in particular, has committed to implementing sustainable practices in its new data centers, adopting technologies that reduce energy consumption and maximize the use of renewable energy sources. These measures, along with innovations in efficiency and security, position AWS as a leader in the development of sustainable technological infrastructures.
In summary, AWS’s new investment in Italy reinforces the company’s position in Europe and highlights Italy’s strategic role as a center for digital operations and a platform for international project expansion. With this commitment, AWS continues to solidify its role in the digitalization of Europe and in creating a data ecosystem that supports economic development as well as the security and sustainability standards required in the region.
Source: DCD