The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) has officially announced the composition of its new Board of Directors for the 2025–2027 term, following the vote held at its General Assembly last June. This election marks a significant step for a key industry in Europe’s digital development, especially as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and energy transition are redefining global critical infrastructure.
The new team comprises leaders with extensive technical and commercial experience, covering the entire data center lifecycle—from investment and design to sustainability and daily operations. Their diversity not only reflects the sector’s cross-disciplinary nature but also highlights EUDCA’s priority: building a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient European digital ecosystem.
A focus remains on continuity with the re-election of Lex Coors (Digital Realty) as president, who will continue guiding the organization’s strategic policy and technical directions for the next two years. Alongside him, Michael Winterson continues as Secretary General, and Laurens van Reijen (LCL Data Centers) as Treasurer.
The Board will also welcome four new vice presidents, representing key companies and institutions in the sector:
– Bruce Owen (Equinix)
– Marie Chabanon (Data4)
– Isabelle Kemlin (Swedish Data Center Industry Association)
– Dick Theunissen (EdgeConneX)
This blend of continuity and renewal ensures stability while opening new perspectives to address upcoming regulatory, energy, and technological challenges.
EUDCA has solidified itself as Europe’s independent voice for the data center industry. Its role extends far beyond representing private companies: it directly interacts with policymakers and regulates the industry’s engagement with European regulatory policies.
In a context marked by:
– The acceleration of artificial intelligence, which increases needs for computation and storage;
– The energy and climate crisis, demanding more efficient and sustainable data centers;
– Rising geopolitical tensions, making European digital sovereignty a strategic goal;
the association is viewed by analysts and governments as a central piece in ensuring Europe’s independence from external infrastructures, especially the US hyperscalers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, or providers from other regions.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of this new phase, with a reinforced commitment to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP), of which EUDCA is a founding member with a permanent seat. The pact’s ambitious goal is for European data centers to be climate-neutral by 2030 through renewable energy, efficient cooling, and heat reuse.
President Lex Coors emphasizes that sustainability is not optional but an obligation: “Europe must lead the transition towards digital infrastructures that support economic growth and AI advancements responsibly for the planet.”
Regulatory challenges also take center stage, particularly:
– European energy regulation, which may impose stricter consumption limits and efficiency requirements;
– The deployment of the EU Data Act, affecting how data centers manage and protect information;
– Cybersecurity policies, notably the upcoming NIS2 directive in 2025, which will necessitate higher protection standards for essential service operators.
EUDCA aims to position itself as a key interlocutor with Brussels, balancing ambition with realism to avoid overburdening the industry while progressing toward digital sovereignty.
This year, the association published its first comprehensive sector report, “The State of European Data Centres 2025,” highlighting rapid capacity growth in major markets like Frankfurt, Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Paris. It also stresses challenges in energy efficiency and water management, especially in warmer climates, and underscores the significance of regional and edge data centers to bring services closer to users, reducing latency and supporting 5G and AI applications in real time. The report powerfully states that data centers are the backbone of Europe’s digital economy.
The new Board also confirms the presence of national associations within EUDCA:
– Stijn Grove (Dutch Data Center Association)
– Antoine Lesserteur (France DataCenter)
– Isabelle Kemlin (Swedish Data Center Industry Association)
These entities provide local perspectives and help coordinate European policies with national regulatory frameworks.
Spain is highlighted as a rapidly growing market for data center investments, with recent projects in Madrid, Barcelona, and other cities. Its availability of renewable energy, land, and international connectivity makes it an attractive destination for new investments, especially in AI. The sector expects EUDCA to reinforce its role as a mediator between private investment dynamism and European regulatory frameworks.
In conclusion, the new Board faces the task of coordinating an increasingly global and complex industry while ensuring Europe maintains control of its digital infrastructure during a pivotal decade. With the rise of AI, soaring energy demands, and stricter regulations, the association is becoming a meeting point for policy, technology, and sustainability. As Secretary General Michael Winterson states, “Europe’s digital infrastructure has never been more critical. Our duty is to ensure digital growth proceeds sustainably, efficiently, and sovereignly.”