This development offers the construction industry immense opportunities and challenges. Data centers are the backbone of the modern digital economy. They enable the storage, processing and exchange of huge amounts of data that are essential for the operation of cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), the 5G transmission standard, the Internet of Things (IoT) and many other IT-based technologies. For the construction industry, this means a steadily growing demand for specialized construction projects that meet the high technical requirements of these facilities.

Sales potential in the coming years

The market forecasts for data centers are impressive. For Germany, the Datacenter Impact Report Germany 2024 published by the German Datacenter Association (GDA) estimates investments for colocation data centers at over EUR 24 billion by 2029. Colocation data centers are data centers that are used jointly by several companies to operate their IT infrastructure. The companies set up their own servers, storage systems and network equipment on the data center premises. According to the market forecast, large players such as Google and Microsoft are also investing around EUR 4.2 billion in hyperscale data centers. Hyperscale data centers are known for their extreme scalability and efficiency and are generally operated directly by large technology companies for their cloud services. In Germany, the metropolitan regions of the Internet hubs Berlin-Brandenburg and Frankfurt am Main will be the main beneficiaries of this development. However, regions such as Düsseldorf and Nuremberg will also participate in the growth of this real estate class, according to the study.  

These figures illustrate the enormous potential and dynamic development of the market for data centers in Germany and underline the fact that this asset class will be indispensable for the construction industry in the coming years. After all, digitalization is a megatrend. It is not only fundamentally changing the way we live, but also how we work now and in the future. “Digitalization is a key factor. It stands for innovation, competitiveness and growth in many areas. The expansion ensured by the construction of data centers is therefore an absolute necessity,” says Meik Müller, Technical Director Civil Engineering at PORR in Germany.

Structural challenges

The construction of data centers brings with it specific challenges. These include:

Site selection: Choosing the right location is critical and requires careful evaluation of factors such as access to the power grid, proximity to internet hubs, availability of skilled labor and potential environmental impact.
Energy efficiency: Data centers must be constantly supplied with sufficient electrical energy. Innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption, such as the use of renewable energy and advanced cooling systems, are essential. The use of waste heat generated when cooling servers is also becoming increasingly important. In future, the potential of waste heat is to be exploited by feeding it into local heating networks or heating neighboring buildings. In Germany, this is anchored in the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG). All data centers that go into operation after 01.07.2026 must meet defined effectiveness values for energy consumption and specifications for waste heat recovery.
IT security requirements: Protecting sensitive data requires comprehensive security measures that cover both physical and digital aspects.
Lean methods: complex approval procedures, complete transparency of construction processes, ambitious schedules for implementation and the highest demands on technical building equipment require the consistent use of lean methods in project work and management.
Building Information Modeling (BIM): The construction of data centers places high demands on the planning and coordination of construction processes. Construction challenges, interfaces and possible construction-related collisions, e.g. in the area of building technology, must be identified and resolved at an early stage in order to ensure quality and deadlines. The use of BIM enables digital modeling of all relevant aspects of the building, which promotes improved collaboration between all project participants and increased transparency in the project.
Potential for the construction industry

It is precisely because of these challenges that the construction of data centers offers considerable potential for innovative companies in the construction industry. The demand for fast and efficient construction processes can be met through the consistent use of lean methods, which create transparency in the construction process, shorten construction times and significantly increase efficiency. In addition, the integration of sustainable technologies in the field of technical building equipment, including energy-efficient solutions, opens up new business opportunities.

PORR: Commitment to data center projects

PORR has already realized several important data centers. One current example, currently under construction, is the BER12 data center in Ludwigsfelde near Berlin. This state-of-the-art two-storey building covers an area of 11,400 m² and offers extensive technological infrastructure, including advanced cooling systems and independent power lines.

In Poland, PORR has realized the DC01 Datacenter in Jawczyce. This project covers a total area of 7,200 m2. The data center is characterized by its advanced infrastructure and the use of state-of-the-art technologies to ensure maximum efficiency and security. Another project is the WAW 11.1 data center in Warsaw, which has a total area of 6,730 m². PORR is currently about to launch further projects in the Frankfurt a.M. region. These underline PORR's important role in the development and construction of data centers, which serve as the backbone of the modern digital economy.

The construction industry faces the exciting task of creating the infrastructure for the digital future. Data centers as an asset class not only offer economic opportunities, but also the possibility to make a significant contribution to the digital transformation through innovative construction methods and sustainable technologies.