Why Digital Realty Picks Vertiv for Italy Data Centre Growth

Vertiv has been selected to supply advanced infrastructure for Digital Realty’s upcoming ROM1 data centre campus in Rome, Italy. The facility will be the company’s first in the country and is designed to support high-performance computing (HPC) and AI applications.

The collaboration extends Vertiv’s long-standing relationship with Digital Realty, which already includes projects across Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam. 

When complete, the Rome facility will have a planned capacity exceeding 3MW and serve as a key part of Digital Realty’s growing footprint across Southern Europe.

Establishing Rome as a digital gateway

The ROM1 project is part of Digital Realty’s broader strategy to strengthen connectivity across the Mediterranean. The carrier-neutral facility will connect to major European and Mediterranean cities through an extensive network of fibre routes and submarine cables, helping to establish Rome as a major data exchange hub.

“Rome is emerging as a crucial gateway for digital infrastructure between Europe and the Mediterranean,” says Alessandro Talotta, Managing Director, Italy of Digital Realty. “The cutting-edge technologies selected for ROM1 will help establish it as a strategic AI hub, setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and performance in high-performance computing.”

Construction will take place in phases, with operations expected to begin in 2027. The site is being optimised for high-density computing environments, making it well-suited to support workloads in AI, machine learning and cloud services.

Digital Realty also plans to expand its regional presence with a new facility in Barcelona launching in early 2026. 

Together, the two locations will enhance the company’s data centre network across key Mediterranean markets, complementing its existing sites in Marseille, Athens and Crete.

Vertiv’s role in next-generation infrastructure

Vertiv will provide a comprehensive suite of cooling and power technologies designed specifically for HPC and AI workloads. This includes innovative free-cooling systems that take advantage of Rome’s favourable climate to reduce mechanical cooling needs, as well as highly efficient power management systems capable of handling dense compute environments.

“The growing adoption of AI applications is driving the need for more sophisticated data centre infrastructure,” says Karsten Winther, President for EMEA at Vertiv. “Our cooling and power solutions are built on decades of experience in supporting the most demanding applications and are designed for projected scalability while helping customers meet their efficiency objectives.”

Karsten’s comments reflect the increasing pressure on data centre operators to balance performance with sustainability. As AI accelerates global demand for compute power, operators are seeking solutions that can manage heat efficiently and maintain reliability without excessive energy consumption.

Cooling and power built for AI workloads

ROM1’s technical design prioritises adaptability and efficiency. The facility will use AI-ready cooling systems capable of adjusting to real-time workload demands, ensuring consistent thermal management even as compute intensity fluctuates.

It will also feature a high-efficiency power distribution network designed to optimise energy delivery for intensive AI processing. Smart environmental controls will monitor and respond to local temperature and humidity, while integrated systems will draw from renewable and alternative energy sources where possible.

These features align with both companies’ focus on supporting sustainable digital infrastructure. For Vertiv, the project continues a series of initiatives aimed at reducing data centre carbon footprints through advanced energy management and hybrid cooling technologies.

Driving sustainable AI growth in Europe

Digital Realty’s investment in Italy comes as demand for AI-ready infrastructure surges across Europe. With AI workloads placing unprecedented strain on existing data centre systems, new facilities such as ROM1 are being engineered to deliver high performance without compromising environmental goals.

By integrating Vertiv’s expertise in power and cooling, the project sets a precedent for data centres built to support next-generation computing while aligning with European sustainability standards.

As construction progresses, ROM1 is expected to play a pivotal role in the region’s AI and cloud ecosystem, offering hyperscale-grade performance with enhanced energy efficiency.