National Data Centre Plan

The National Data Centre Plan is a strategic instrument that defines 15 priority initiatives for 2026–2027, a period considered decisive for attracting investment from the sector’s leading international operators.

Integrated into the Portugal Digital Strategy and the National Artificial Intelligence Agenda, the plan recognises data processing, storage and circulation capacity as a critical asset for the country’s digital sovereignty, technological resilience and economic competitiveness.

The challenge addressed by the plan

Portugal offers particularly favourable conditions for hosting data centres: competitive energy costs, extensive fibre-optic coverage, geographical stability and climate conditions that support more efficient cooling solutions.

Despite these structural advantages, the computational capacity currently installed in the national territory remains below the European Union average. At the same time, several projects announced in recent years have faced implementation difficulties, mainly associated with licensing processes, energy availability and institutional coordination.

This context becomes even more relevant at a time when global demand for data centres continues to accelerate, driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and next-generation digital services.

Four areas of action

The PNCD structures State intervention around four complementary areas:

1. Regulation and Governance: The Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency (AICEP) will assume the role of single point of contact for investors, centralising coordination between public entities and promoting greater predictability in processes. The plan also foresees the definition of maximum licensing deadlines, as well as the harmonisation of technical and administrative criteria across the different licensing authorities.
2. Energy and Infrastructure: The identification and development of pre-planned zones for the installation of data centres is foreseen, with early access to essential infrastructure, including connection to the electricity grid. This area also includes coordination with the National Energy Networks (REN), strengthening energy efficiency and promoting the integration of national suppliers into the sector’s value chain.
3. Demand and Market: The State intends to stimulate demand through a national sovereign cloud strategy, while simultaneously reinforcing the attraction of international investment. A single information point for investors will also be created, and mechanisms for public participation in projects considered strategic for the country will be analysed.
4. Territory and Ecosystem: The fourth area ensures that the expansion of digital capacity generates a positive impact in the territories where projects are established. Measures include the development of technological and academic hubs, the creation of qualified employment and mechanisms ensuring economic and social returns for local communities.

A strategic vision beyond infrastructure

When presenting the plan, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stressed that the national objective goes beyond the simple installation of infrastructure:

“We do not just want to have data centres. The strategic objective is to create economic, scientific and technological value from that capacity.”

The Government’s vision is to position Portugal as a European platform for advanced digital services, scientific research and the development of artificial intelligence applications. The combination of renewable energy, international connectivity and institutional stability represents a significant competitive advantage in this context.

Expected economic impact

The projections associated with the PNCD point to a significant economic impact.

For each additional gigawatt of installed capacity, the following is estimated:

• Around €8 billion in initial investment;
• Up to €16 billion in annual economic impact;
• The creation of approximately 3,300 direct jobs;
• A significant positive contribution to the national trade balance.

Portugal currently has more than 2.6 GW of planned IT capacity, with the Lisbon region concentrating a significant part of this investment pipeline.

A strategic asset for the next decade

With this plan, Portugal seeks to establish itself as one of Europe’s leading digital infrastructure hubs, creating the conditions to attract investment, accelerate the technological transition and ensure greater strategic autonomy in an increasingly competitive market.