The rapid expansion, driven in part by demand for artificial intelligence services, is seen as a major opportunity for utilities like A2A, which will supply the electricity required to power the new facilities. Currently, the province of Milan hosts roughly 200 megawatts of installed data centre capacity, while peak electricity demand in the city stands at 1.5 gigawatts.
Mazzoncini said the upcoming data centres will be connected directly to Italy’s high-voltage grid or to power plants, avoiding pressure on the local distribution network managed by A2A. “We already have more than 3 gigawatts of additional thermoelectric power either built, under construction, or authorised in the region,” he said during an event in Milan, highlighting steps being taken to meet rising electricity demand.
Local authorities are also supporting the expansion through a combination of renewable energy projects and an increase in thermal generation, aiming to ensure stable supply while accommodating Milan’s growing data infrastructure.
Despite Italy’s historically higher electricity costs compared to some European peers, developers of data centres appear undeterred. Mazzoncini noted that costs are increasingly comparable across Europe: “The cost of electricity is converging across Europe. A solar panel or wind turbine produces at the same cost in Spain, Italy, or Ireland. That’s where the world is heading.” He also pointed out that operators can secure power through purchase agreements with utilities, providing predictable energy costs.
A2A, Italy’s third-largest utility by customer numbers and the largest in Lombardy, is well-positioned to benefit from the surge in electricity demand, as Milan establishes itself as a major hub for data-driven technology and AI development.