IDA – Italian Datacenter Association welcomes with cautious optimism the amendments to Lombardy’s data center legislation recently approved by the Regional Government, reaffirming its commitment to continuing a constructive dialogue with institutions to support the sustainable and competitive growth of the sector.
As highlighted by IDA, several of the newly introduced measures reinforce principles that operators already consider central to the design and development of digital infrastructure, including responsible land use, water resource protection, and integration with local communities. At the same time, the association notes that many of the concerns raised in the public debate could already be addressed through existing regulatory frameworks and that it is important not to create the impression that the sector has operated without due consideration for environmental and territorial impacts.
IDA also points out that 80% of the sites involved in data center projects currently under assessment at the national level are already urbanized or brownfield areas, targeted for regeneration and redevelopment. In addition, modern data centers increasingly rely on closed-loop cooling systems, dry cooling technologies, and hybrid solutions, significantly reducing water consumption requirements.
The association further emphasizes the strategic importance of the sector for Italy’s economy. According to IDA’s estimates, the industry could generate €36.9 billion in infrastructure investments and approximately 26,000 full-time jobs between 2026 and 2036, creating benefits for national competitiveness, skills development, and local supply chains.
To turn this potential into concrete investments, however, regulatory certainty and predictability remain essential. As IDA underlines, companies are not seeking exemptions from environmental safeguards or regulatory oversight; rather, they need clear guidance on requirements, procedures, and approval timelines. For this reason, the ongoing dialogue with the Lombardy Region is an important step, but one that should be part of a broader effort to establish a clear and coordinated national regulatory framework, capable of providing certainty for investors and local authorities while respecting the specific characteristics of each territory.
