About Marcus Köhler
About Marcus Köhler
The power of good advice
It's easy to find someone to tell you what you want to hear,
but your true ally is one who tells you what will take you further.
New report available
Investment Potential in Data Centers
Range of service
Koehler Advisory advises local municipalities and international investors on the development of new data center locations
with these focal points:
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Site selection, site evaluation and site development
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Development of a DC investment strategy
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Technology consulting, e.g. on energy efficiency and heat recovery
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Development of a strong DC 'develop-build-run' organization
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Development of a go-to-market strategy
Development project DATA CASTLE
DATA CASTLE is a joint venture between DCD Data Center Developers, a specialist developer for colocation and hyperscale data centers from Germany, and Angelo Gordon, a global investment company from the US. DATA CASTLE wants to become the leading green data center platform in Germany. To do so, the Munich-based company develops, plans, builds and operates energy-efficient and highly available data centers at central German locations.
Life for sure
Why do international investors continue to invest heavily in European data center capacity?
Growing demand: Demand for data center services is increasing rapidly and this trend is expected to continue in the future. With the continued growth of cloud computing, AI, Big Data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT), more and more companies are relying on external data centers to store, process and management of their data. Stable market: The European data center market is relatively stable and has seen steady growth in recent years. Despite (and also because of) the challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic, demand for data center services has remained stable, which is seen by investors as a positive sign for future growth as well. Favorable regulatory environment: European countries have introduced strict data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which require companies to store and process data in secure locations. This has led to an increase in demand for data center services. Strategic location: Europe is an attractive location for data centers due to its large economic area and stable political situation. Thanks to the good energy supply, which necessitates reliable data center operation, investments are attractive in the long term. In addition, many European countries have a well- developed telecommunication infrastructure, which facilitates the connection of data centers to the Internet and other networks. Overall, the combination of growing demand, a stable market, a favorable regulatory environment, and a strategic location makes European data center capacity an attractive investment opportunity for investors.
While demand for data center services in Europe continues to grow, there are several challenges that could hinder the further growth of data center sites in the region:
Energy costs and efficiency: Data centers consume a considerable amount of energy and electricity prices in Europe are generally higher than in other regions. Consequently, data center operators are under pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. There is also an increasing demand for the use of previously unused heating energy. Availability of suitable sites: As demand for data center services continues to grow, it is challenging to find suitable sites for new data centers at Tier 1 sites. Obtaining permits and approvals for new sites can be time-consuming and expensive. Regulatory challenges: Although the European regulatory environment for data center investments can be favorable, there are also challenges. Talent shortage: Demand for skilled professionals in the data center industry is high, but there is a shortage of talent in some areas. Data center operators may have difficulty finding qualified personnel to design, build and operating their facilities. Sustainability concerns: As data center energy consumption continues to rise, there is growing concern about the environmental impact of these facilities. Data center operators are under pressure to improve sustainability and reduce their environmental footprint. Overall, the growth of data center sites in Europe will continue, but it will require careful management of these challenges to ensure sustainable growth and continued success in the industry.
