Vertiv to power AI-ready Digital Realty data centre
Vertiv has been selected to deliver advanced infrastructure for Digital Realty's latest data centre campus in Rome, known as ROM1. The new facility is targeting support for high-performance computing environments, specifically those powering artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads.
Facility overview
The new ROM1 campus will be Digital Realty's first data centre in Italy with a planned capacity exceeding 3 MW. It will be developed in stages and is expected to commence operations in 2027. As a carrier-neutral operation, ROM1 is designed to meet the needs of a growing market for AI-ready digital infrastructure, connecting Rome to key Mediterranean cities via fibre networks and submarine cables.
Cooling and power
The agreement covers Vertiv's supply of advanced cooling and power solutions, tailored for the demands of high-density and HPC workloads. These include free-cooling systems that take advantage of local climate conditions as well as power management technologies aiming at high energy efficiency. According to both companies, these technical innovations are central to supporting modern computing applications while managing energy use and environmental impact.
Regional strategy
ROM1 is part of a broader strategic effort by Digital Realty to strengthen its presence in the Mediterranean region. The company already operates data centres in Marseille, Athens and Crete, with planned expansion to Barcelona early in 2026. Rome's emergence as a key regional gateway is underpinned by enhanced connectivity and its potential to serve as a technology hub for Southern Europe.
Technical features
ROM1 will use AI-ready cooling systems that adapt to fluctuating workloads, and high-efficiency power distribution networks built for intensive computing requirements. The facility will also integrate smart environmental controls, designed to respond to real-time conditions and interface with alternative energy sources. These systems are intended to support advanced computing needs, while contributing to Digital Realty's and Vertiv's efficiency goals.
"Rome is emerging as a crucial gateway for digital infrastructure between Europe and the Mediterranean. 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," said Alessandro Talotta, Managing Director, Italy, Digital Realty
AI infrastructure demand
The partnership extends existing deployments by Vertiv for Digital Realty across Europe, including sites in Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam. Both companies highlighted that demand for robust digital infrastructure is being driven by accelerating adoption of AI technologies and the corresponding need for data processing at scale.
"The growing adoption of AI applications is driving the need for more sophisticated data centre infrastructure. 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," said Winther.
