Data centres are the critical infrastructure of the AI age. The rapid adoption of generative AI, large language models and high-performance computing has triggered an unprecedented surge in demand for data centre capacity across Europe. Hyperscalers and cloud providers are committing record capital expenditures — collectively investing hundreds of billions of euros annually — to secure land, power and connectivity for next-generation facilities.
At the same time, European data sovereignty requirements, tightening sustainability regulation and acute grid capacity constraints are reshaping the competitive landscape, making the development and acquisition of data centres one of the most complex and also most rewarding real estate ventures of our time.
Your challenges
Our solutions for you
- Analysing the entire public law framework, including aspects of planning and construction law, obtaining the necessary permits and negotiating key contracts
- Devising a development strategy, including stakeholder and risk analyses
- Identifying suitable funding schemes at the EU, federal and state levels, including assessing them in terms of state aid law and providing support with applications and procurement procedures in accordance with subsidy law
- Legal implementation of the requirements of the EU Taxonomy Regulation for new buildings, renovations and existing properties, as well as advice on the specific requirements of the German Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) for data centres
- Legal implementation of ESG and sustainability concepts
- Review and negotiation of grid connection and grid usage contracts; structuring of decentralised energy concepts in accordance with energy law requirements (German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and Ordinance on General Conditions for the Supply of District Heating (AVBFernwärmeV))
- Structuring of project and acquisition financing; drafting and negotiation of loan agreements, collateral and other financing agreements
- Comprehensive legal transaction support, including legal due diligence, corporate and tax structuring, drafting and negotiation of asset or share deal agreements
- Advice and support on cybersecurity issues (IT Security Act 2.0, NIS 2 implementation, EU Cybersecurity Act, EU AI Act); advice on IT compliance, data security and data protection
The DenkFabrik — Our 360° Advisory Approach
We advise clients throughout the entire development and investment cycle of their data centre projects. At the heart of our approach is GSK Stockmann’s DenkFabrik — a collaborative platform where integrated specialist teams work under the guiding principle of “The Industrial Perspective,” supporting clients with entrepreneurial foresight across all relevant legal disciplines at municipal, state, federal and European level.
Every project begins with a customised DenkFabrik workshop: This is a structured kick-off session in which the client’s project team and GSK Stockmann’s specialists map all relevant topics, identify interfaces and establish priorities together. The result is a clear roadmap — no gaps, no blind spots.