Portugal’s data centre sector may add EUR €26.2bn to GDP by 2030
Portugal's data centre sector could contribute up to EUR €26.2 billion to the national GDP and support approximately 48,400 full-time jobs annually by 2030, according to new analysis published by Start Campus and Copenhagen Economics.
Economic impact
The study, entitled 'Assessment of the Socio-Economic Benefits of the Data Centre Sector in Portugal', finds that with favourable investment and regulatory conditions, the development of data centres in Portugal may drive considerable direct, indirect, and induced employment. According to projections, the sector's contribution of EUR €26.2 billion corresponds to an average of close to EUR €4.4 billion each year between 2025 and 2030. The number of jobs directly and indirectly supported by data centres could approach 50,000 annually by the end of the decade.
Recent activity in the sector has already demonstrated tangible economic value. From 2022 to 2024, data centres generated an additional EUR €311 million for Portugal's GDP and supported around 1,700 jobs per year, according to the report. These roles range from highly skilled technical positions to jobs in supporting industries, contributing to the attraction and retention of talent, strengthening regional cohesion, and expanding education pathways across the nation.
Artificial intelligence driving demand
The research highlights the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving future data centre demand in Portugal. The study forecasts that by 2030, approximately 70% of the country's computing capacity will be dedicated to AI applications, with this segment expected to grow at a rate of 33% annually. The growth rate for generative AI workloads is anticipated to be even higher, at 39% per year.
This surge in demand underscores the requirement for advanced, resilient, and sustainable data centre infrastructure. The authors note that the widespread adoption of cloud computing, big data, and AI solutions by businesses and public bodies relies on the availability of such infrastructure that can deliver efficient, scalable, and low-latency services.
Competitive advantages
The study identifies several factors positioning Portugal as a strong candidate for further digital infrastructure investment. Notably, electricity prices in Portugal are estimated to be around 30% lower than the EU average, with 87.5% of the country's electricity generated from renewable sources. The Atlantic coastline also offers resource-efficient cooling opportunities, including the use of seawater, which reduces both freshwater consumption and energy costs.
Additional infrastructure strengths cited include Portugal's position as a connectivity hub, with approximately 25% of global subsea telecommunications cables passing through its territory. Additionally, fibre optic coverage stands at 92%, the third-highest in the European Union.
"Portugal has all the right conditions to establish itself as a leading digital and AI hub in Europe: strategic connectivity, clean energy, and a highly skilled workforce. This study confirms that, with the right public policies, data centres can become a driver of economic growth and territorial cohesion," says Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus.
The workforce available to support this expansion is substantial. The report points to a robust base of approximately 230,000 ICT specialists in Portugal, alongside a comparatively high number of STEM graduates each year.
Policy and investment environment
The findings also note that policy decisions will be critical in securing the full economic and social benefits from the sector. The report proposes five policy priorities for national and regional leaders: ensuring predictability and access to the electrical grid and key components, streamlining licensing processes, developing targeted investment measures, and advancing digitalisation and AI adoption within both the private and public sectors.
"Portugal is emerging as a key European destination for data centre investments, yet achieving its fullest potential cannot be taken for granted given intense international competition to host digital infrastructures. There are already significant economic benefits from existing data centres alone, which represent a fraction of future opportunities," says Dr. Bruno Basalisco, Director at Copenhagen Economics.
The study's conclusions are drawn from an Input-Output macroeconomic model using data from Eurostat, the OECD, and national operators. The analysis also incorporated interviews with over 15 digital ecosystem stakeholders, including AICEP, ANACOM, FCT, major technology companies, and local authorities.
Start Campus SINES DC campus
Start Campus's SINES DC project, situated on the Atlantic coast, is noted in the report as a case in point for the scale of data centre development possible in Portugal. The campus has a fully secured grid capacity of 1.2 GW of IT, and, according to the study, the first building (SIN01) is already operational. The company aims to attract global investment with a combined project value of EUR €8.5 billion and intends to power its operations entirely with renewable energy.
