120MW Data Center Plans Withdrawn In Lombardy, Italy

Plans for a 120MW data center in Travagliato, Lombardy, have been withdrawn by developer East Gate, around 10 months after the project was submitted to the municipality. Mayor Renato Pasinetti confirmed the withdrawal, saying the province of Brescia is expected to shelve the grid connection application due to a lack of additional information. The municipality also said it never received the data needed for a full environmental impact assessment or to evaluate the proposed 120MW grid connection.

East Gate planned a data center designed by The Blossom Avenue Partners on a 1.4 million sq ft (130,000 sqm) industrial site outside Travagliato. A report estimated the project would have generated more than €11 million ($12.5m) for the municipality, including €524,715 ($598,707) in compensation for developing agricultural land. Travagliato rejected the project last month, although some minority groups supported exploring planning options for the development. Mayor Renato Pasinetti said the municipality was not opposed to the project but wanted experts to assess its environmental impact, adding that the required data was never provided.

Residents also opposed the project over energy and environmental concerns, with an online petition gaining nearly 10,000 signatures. Lombardy, especially Milan, is a major data center hub, with 65 facilities listed in the region. However, new developments are facing growing opposition, including protests against a planned 240MW facility in Magenta. In response, Lombardy introduced Regional Law No. 11/2026, Italy’s first comprehensive data center framework, aimed at promoting sustainable development and the reuse of brownfield sites.