Digital transformation is no longer a topic for the future. Today, it already forms the foundation for innovation and competitiveness in the German economy. Data centres play a central role in this, as they enable all modern technologies as the heart of digital infrastructure. In this interview, eco’s Managing Director Alexander Rabe talks about the importance of data centres for digital transformation, the challenges facing the industry, and eco’s strategic role in shaping the political and technological aspects of digital change. The focus is particularly on fibredays 26, where eco is designing the new German “Datacenter Plaza“ for the first time, presenting the data centre industry as an engine of innovation for Germany’s future.
Why are data centres now more than ever at the heart of digital transformation?
Data centres are the infrastructural foundation of all digital applications and processes. They ensure that data can be stored and processed securely and made available almost in real time – which is precisely what is required for the digital transformation of the economy, public administration and society.
Whether AI, cloud, automated production processes, digital administration or connected mobility: all these technologies and areas of application require highly available, high-performance and scalable computing capacities.
With the increasing datafication of all areas of life and the economy, the complexity of systems is also growing. Data centres play a key role here by ensuring security, resilience and technical stability. They are therefore the engine that enables companies, public authorities and users to implement digital transformation reliably and on a large scale in the first place.
Why are data centres a decisive factor for economic development in Germany and what impact do they have on the economy as a whole?
Data centres are a key driver of economic development in Germany because they provide the digital infrastructure on which almost all business processes and modern business models are based. Without powerful data centres, many companies would not be able to digitalise or scale their processes, products and services.
A recent study by the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany, founded under the umbrella of eco and created in collaboration with the IW, shows the impact this is already having today: the use of data centres generates around 250 billion euros in additional gross value added in Germany. Moreover, around 5.9 million people are now employed in companies whose business models would not be possible without cloud and data centre infrastructures. Data centres not only create technological foundations, but also measurably strengthen productivity, innovation and employment throughout Germany as a business location.
eco has been politically committed to digital infrastructures for many years. What are currently the biggest challenges facing the industry?
The biggest challenge remains the massive pressure of time and capacity: the demand for computing power is growing significantly faster than new data centres can be built. Long approval procedures, uncertainties regarding energy supply and prices, and complex regulatory requirements are slowing down Germany as a business location. At the same time, we must continue to consistently advance sustainability and develop it in a competitive relationship with growing performance requirements.
eco is therefore advocating for faster and more reliable planning processes, better framework conditions in energy policy, and a coordinated data centre strategy between the German federal government and the state governments. We are also calling for uniform and implementable regulations at the EU and national levels. Only if politics and business work more closely together can we provide the necessary infrastructure in a timely manner.
This year, eco is helping to organise the new “Datacenter Plaza” at fiberdays 26 for the first time. What can visitors expect?
The eco “Datacenter Plaza” will be a central meeting place for everyone involved in digital infrastructure. As an association, we already founded our “Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany” in 2018. The alliance aims to represent the ecosystem of digital infrastructures in its entirety, which is why I am particularly pleased about the cooperation with BREKO as part of fiberdays – because at this trade fair, all stakeholders of this entire ecosystem truly came together at our “Datacenter Plaza”.
Visitors can look forward to in-depth expert presentations, the latest trends and concrete best practices from the data centre ecosystem. With the new “Datacenter Lounge”, we’re also creating an attractive exchange platform where eco members can present themselves with their own stands and engage in direct dialogue with decision-makers from industry, politics and the digital economy. Our goal is to make the importance of the data centre industry within the digital infrastructure ecosystem visible, provide orientation and strengthen dialogue along the entire value chain.
What makes fiberdays 26 such an important place for you personally to talk about digital infrastructures?
fibredays 26 brings together the players who are shaping digital progress in Germany in very concrete terms: network operators, data centre operators, Internet exchanges, cloud providers, political decision-makers and users. This proximity between infrastructure, technology and political discourse allows us to view challenges holistically and develop solutions together. This exchange is essential, especially now that the pressure on all digital infrastructures is increasing significantly. For me, fiberdays is a place where the future of the digital economy becomes visible and tangible. And a place where we at eco can show how we are actively helping to shape this future.
All information about the eco “Datacenter Plaza” and opportunities to get involved
