Data Centre Public Opinion is Better with Local Investment

Economic dividends from data centres improves public acceptance, according to new research from CyrusOne.

The data centre company surveyed, alongside Censuswide, more than 13,000 people across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France and Germany and suggests that public perception of data centres across Europe is better when facilities invest in the local communities they reside in. 

This news comes in the midst of the data centre sector across Europe witnessing overwhelming growth, whilst having to confront challenges in demand for capacity, sourcing reliable power and suitable land for facilities. 

Reacting to European data centre demand

The survey, Listening to Communities: Understanding Public Perception of Data Centers in Europe and How This Shapes Community Initiatives, found public attitudes towards data centres are more favourable than expected, with CyrusOne finding a total of 93% of people saying they either feel positively (51%) or neutral (42%) about them.

Notably, this level of positivity increases among those who know they have a data centre located near them.

However, despite a number of similar attitudes across Europe, the survey revealed significant variations in public understanding and opinions when it comes to data centres. For instance, CyrusOne highlights that people’s understanding of what data centres do was significantly lower in the UK, with 38% of those surveyed selecting the correct definition. This compares to 66% in Germany and 60% in Ireland and the Netherlands.

CyrusOne states this is surprising, given the size of the UK data centre market and its prevalent role within the digital services sector. 

“Data centres are the backbone of how we live and work today, but the degree to which they support our society is still largely misunderstood by the general public, as our research demonstrates,” explains Matt Pullen, EVP, Managing Director Europe at CyrusOne. 

“Misconceptions ultimately lead to mistrust, and this is why developing a sound understanding of public attitudes to data centres is critical to ensure that we can continue to provide state of the art infrastructure for the businesses that depend upon us and deliver meaningful benefits to our host communities. This was our impetus to conduct the survey and why we are sharing the findings so broadly.”

Concerns that are emerging amongst local communities within certain markets are largely driven by a misunderstanding of the data centre industry, the survey finds. Those surveyed did not draw a connection between data centres and the digital services that they use on a daily basis. 

For instance, when asked what infrastructure and technologies were needed to power digital applications - such as WhatsApp, social media platforms, video conferencing tools and other digital services - fewer than half (45%) of all those surveyed chose data centres, showing that the industry still has much work to do to address this disconnect.

Improving public perception

CyrusOne reveals there is a correlation between economic dividends and public acceptance. The survey finds 83% of those surveyed strongly agree that data centres bring value through job opportunities and would be willing to have a data centre in their area, as would 85% of those that strongly agreed they would bring value through economic growth.

Significantly, 49% of people surveyed agree that investment in related projects is a benefit that data centres offer local communities. That number rises to 58% amongst those living near a data centre.

According to CyrusOne, some of the leading factors that could contribute to changing public perceptions of data centres would be increasing job opportunities, followed by amenities like biodiverse spaces for public use, cycle paths and playgrounds.

Additionally, knowing a data centre development would create broader economic growth for the local area would make 31% of those surveyed more willing to have one in their local community. 

CyrusOne states this is followed by hiring local people for construction and operations (27%) and providing training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people (23%).

“It’s clear from the research that public opinion of data centres is more positive than expected and that perhaps the sector is not always presented in a way that accurately portrays how people really perceive it.” said Emma Fryer, Director of Public Policy, Europe at CyrusOne. 

“It is therefore really important that we, as developers and operators, listen carefully to people in our host communities, while continuing to educate, identify their needs and act accordingly to deliver meaningful local benefits.” 

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