Digital Realty, renowned for its expansive carrier-neutral data centre offerings, embarks on a new venture with the groundbreaking of its inaugural facility in Rome. The development underscores the company’s commitment to delivering PlatformDIGITAL® across the Mediterranean, enhancing its global infrastructure.
The facility, ROM1, is anticipated to be a landmark data centre in the region. Designed with cutting-edge AI technologies in mind, it aims to feature unrivalled connectivity with both global and regional networks. Its strategic design includes provisions for interconnection with multiple subsea cable systems, enhancing Rome's significance as a gateway bridging Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Located approximately 15 kilometres from the coast, ROM1 promises an installed IT capacity surpassing 3MW. With potential plans to expand across its 22-hectare site, the development is poised to become one of Italy's most substantial data centre campuses.
Alessandro Talotta, Managing Director of Digital Realty in Italy, emphasised, "Rome is ... a critical entry point to the broader Mediterranean – a region that is fast emerging as a vital gateway for global connectivity. ROM1 represents a major milestone in our strategy to build out a dense network of highly connected, sustainable data centre hubs across key growth markets, enabling our customers to scale their digital infrastructure and reach across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.”
Additionally, the facility will complement existing sites in key Mediterranean locations like Athens and Marseille. It preludes future expansions, including a proposed interconnection hub in Barcelona, as Digital Realty broadens its reach along Europe’s southern periphery.
Rome's status as Italy’s second-largest city and as a significant EU city, both economically and digitally, further solidifies its role as a bridge between regional and international fronts. The anticipated upturn in connectivity efficiencies will reduce latencies within Italy, bolstering its global competitiveness.
Sustainability remains central to the project, with ROM1 projected to operate solely on renewable energy, aligning with Digital Realty's broader environmental goals whilst meeting the growing demand for digital infrastructures.
The initial phase of ROM1 is set for completion by 2027, marking the beginning of a transformative journey towards forging a new digital ecosystem in Rome.
