As demand for data centres continues to surge, driven by increased digitalization, regulatory requirements and advances in artificial intelligence, the European Investment Fund (EIF) is supporting the sector by announcing today an initial cornerstone investment of €150 million in the PIMCO European Data Centre Opportunity Fund.
For its part, in line with its mission to promote strategic sectors of the economy, CDP Equity (CDP Group) is joining the initiative with a proportional investment of €50 million.
The Fund is dedicated to the development of new data centres in high growth European markets, including Madrid, Milan, Berlin, Zurich, Warsaw, Marseille and Athens, amongst others. This investment is made possible with the support of the InvestEU Programme, guaranteeing a total of €86 million of EIF and CDP Equity’s joint investment. The InvestEU Programme aims to mobilise investments across Europe.
The Fund will focus on strengthening Europe’s efforts in digitalisation and data sovereignty. It will expand the capacity to deliver low-latency data, providing essential local infrastructure for governments, businesses, and citizens across the continent.
“This investment underscores our commitment to fostering a strong digital ecosystem in Europe,” said Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the EIF. “By supporting the development of data centres, we are not only addressing the immediate demand for data infrastructure, but also laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and innovation in the digital economy.”
Furthermore, CDP Equity (CDP Group) is joining forces with the EIF to actively contribute to the Fund’s objectives. This reinforces a joint commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure in Europe and in strategic markets such as Italy, in line with the goals set out in Cassa Depositi e Prestiti’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan.
“Our investment in the PIMCO European Data Centre Opportunity Fund reflects CDP Equity’s strong commitment to accelerating digital transformation and strengthening strategic infrastructure in Italy and across Europe. By supporting data centre development, we are helping to lay the foundations for a more competitive, innovative, and resilient digital economy, in line with the objectives of CDP Group our 2025–2027 Strategic Plan”, said Francesco Mele, CEO of CDP Equity.
PIMCO European Data Centre Opportunity Fund aims to make a significant impact in addressing the supply-demand imbalance in the European data centre market. The Fund has already made its first three investments in data centres located in Madrid, Athens, and Milan.
PIMCO’s dedicated team, comprising senior investment professionals and data centre executives, will leverage their expertise to manage the Fund’s investments effectively while aiming to promote the leading energy efficiency practices. The Fund is committed to sustainability and implementing environmentally friendly practices across the portfolio.
