With more than 60 data centers either operational or in the permitting phase, Lombardy is confirmed as the beating heart of Italy’s digital infrastructure. As reported by MilanoToday, the Milan area is experiencing a true digital race, driven by multibillion-euro investments and growing interest from both national and international operators.
In the in-depth article, Marco Givonetti, Secretary General of the Italian Data Center Association (IDA), explains how the association is working on several fronts: streamlining authorization timelines by proposing faster permitting processes for data center construction (with a maximum duration of 24–36 months); establishing a single point of contact for project submissions, with the goal of cutting approval times down to 10 months; countering speculative practices, such as the improper use of incentives for grid connection; and encouraging development in brownfield areas, avoiding greenfield land consumption and promoting urban regeneration.
IDA is also engaged in dialogue with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to define a clear and modern regulatory framework capable of supporting sector growth while safeguarding the environment and local territories.
