Policy and regulation are core drivers of European data centre development, shaping where capacity can be built, how quickly projects progress and how confident investors can be in future demand. With the EU aiming to triple its data centre capacity, this session asks a simple question: if you were allocating capital in Europe tomorrow, which policy signals would you watch most closely? Explore what the EU's new Cloud and AI Development Act and AI gigafactory programme mean for private investment, how energy reporting and upcoming efficiency standards will affect asset performance, and how UK and EU approaches compare on energy costs and grid access.

The discussion will also look at how congestion in established hubs, grid investment and renewable supply are shifting attention towards emerging markets, why data centres that act as partners to the energy system may gain a planning advantage, and how data sovereignty requirements are accelerating demand for in-country capacity.