Virtus Data Centres, a key player in the data centre industry and part of STT GDC, has unveiled plans for a new 300MW megacampus just outside of Berlin, Germany. This ambitious project, named the Wustermark Megacampus, will be located in Brandenberg, west of the German capital. The first phase of this expansive campus will cover a vast area of 350,000 square metres (3.7 million square feet) and is expected to be operational by 2026.
The Wustermark Megacampus is Virtus’ second major project in the Berlin Brandenburg region, following the announcement of the Berlin Marienpark Campus in May 2023. This new development highlights the company’s strategic focus on expanding its footprint in the region to meet the growing demands of the cloud and AI industries.
Christina Mertens, Virtus VP of business development for EMEA, emphasised the significance of this project, stating, “This ambitious undertaking is a testament to our commitment to sustainable innovation and our dedication to addressing the evolving needs of our customers. By harnessing cost-efficient renewable energy, this campus will not only provide the scale needed for future growth but also reinforce our position as a leader in the data centre industry.”
The Wustermark campus is designed with sustainability at its core. As part of its commitment to the local community, Virtus plans to provide waste heat from the campus to the local municipality. This waste heat will support Wustermark’s plans for a district heating distribution network, demonstrating the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility and community engagement.
Holger Schreiber, the Mayor of Wustermark, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “The Virtus Wustermark Campus is a prime example of how future-oriented partnerships can drive positive change within our community. This collaboration not only showcases technological innovation but also presents significant opportunities for sustainable economic growth in Wustermark and the wider Havelland region.”
This project comes on the heels of Virtus’ first Berlin campus, Virtus Berlin 1, located in Marienpark, in the southern part of the city. Set to be operational in 2026, the Marienpark campus will offer a total of 56MW across four buildings. This expansion is part of Virtus’ broader strategy to increase its data centre capacity across Europe.
Virtus Data Centres currently operates 11 data centres across four campuses in Greater London, totalling 77,000 square metres (828,825 square feet) and 178MW of power. The company has a robust pipeline of future projects, with planned expansions not only in Germany but also in Italy, Spain, Poland, and other key European markets.
The expansion of Virtus Data Centres reflects the growing demand for data infrastructure in Europe, driven by the increasing reliance on cloud computing and AI technologies. By investing in large-scale, sustainable data centres, Virtus is positioning itself at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry.
STT GDC, which acquired a 49% stake in Virtus from Brockton Capital in 2015 and later made it a wholly-owned subsidiary, continues to support Virtus’ expansion efforts. Macquarie Asset Management recently acquired a 40% stake in the UK operator, further solidifying Virtus’ financial backing and future growth prospects.
As the data centre industry continues to evolve, Virtus Data Centres remains committed to driving transformative change through innovation, sustainability, and strategic growth, cementing its position as a leader in the European data centre market.
