IDED Data Center Location Guide
How can data centers be developed economically in Germany? What are suitable locations? How should risks and opportunities be assessed? And which investors are suitable for regional cooperation?
You will find answers to these questions, along with helpful facts and tools, in our guide.
IDED Data Center Location Guide
How can data centers be developed economically in Germany? What are suitable locations? How should risks and opportunities be assessed? And which investors are suitable for regional cooperation?
You will find answers to these questions, along with helpful facts and tools, in our guide.
IDED Data Center Location Guide
How can data centers be developed economically in Germany? What are suitable locations? How should risks and opportunities be assessed? And which investors are suitable for regional cooperation?
You will find answers to these questions, along with helpful facts and tools, in our guide.
CONTENT OVERVIEW
This guide, over 100 pages long, provides municipalities with an overview of data centers and offers specific recommendations and processes for attracting data center companies to a region.

Introduction: What is a data center?

Introduction: What is a data center?

Data Center Location

Data Center Location

Stakeholder Approach

Stakeholder Approach

Stakeholder Approach

Settlement process

Settlement process

Risk Management

Risk Management

Success Factors

Success Factors

Requirements and Business Models

Requirements and Business Models

Case studies

Case studies

Funding opportunities

Funding opportunities
"Highly detailed and informative, with all the necessary information and tips for establishing a data center. The guide provides foundational understanding and deep insights into the current and future state of data centers."
Stephan Kunkel, Economic Development Mecklenburg Lake District Ltd.
"Highly detailed and informative, with all the necessary information and tips for establishing a data center. The guide provides foundational understanding and deep insights into the current and future state of data centers."
Stephan Kunkel, Economic Development Mecklenburg Lake District Ltd.

Independent since 2019.
IDED was founded as SDIA e.V. in Hamburg in 2019 to demonstrate pathways for sustainable development of digital infrastructure in Europe.

Independent since 2019.
IDED was founded as SDIA e.V. in Hamburg in 2019 to demonstrate pathways for sustainable development of digital infrastructure in Europe.
Since 2025, we have been an independent consultancy for the public sector, building on our research, expertise, and an international network.
Our mission: To support organizations in the sustainable development of digital infrastructure, the digital economy, and digitalization.
Our Specialization
Digital Infrastructure
Digital Economy
Administrative Digitization
Digital Ecosystems
IDED in the Press
Our work is regularly featured in major and specialized media with our opinions, analyses, and expertise.
IDED in the Press
Our work is regularly featured in major and specialized media with our opinions, analyses, and expertise.
IDED in the Press
Our work is regularly featured in major and specialized media with our opinions, analyses, and expertise.
Digital Tools for Data Center Establishment
In addition to our guide, we offer municipalities and regional economic developers two digital tools that can be used to evaluate sites and project inquiries for quick and effective processing.

The tool for municipalities and economic promoters
Quick assessment of suitable sites and project inquiries.
GUIDELINE: Establishing Data Centers FOR Municipalities
The guide provides the framework and manual for developing data center projects.
DIGITAL PROJECT EVALUATION FOR MUNICIPALITIES
Incoming inquiries from investors can be quickly assessed in terms of risk, impact, and effects.
< Evaluate projects in under 60 minutes
Over 100 criteria
Digital Land Assessment
Our tool evaluates suitable areas based on the requirements of different types of data centers.

Digital Tools for Data Center Establishment
In addition to our guide, we offer municipalities and regional economic developers two digital tools that can be used to evaluate sites and project inquiries for quick and effective processing.

The tool for municipalities and economic promoters
Quick assessment of suitable sites and project inquiries.
GUIDELINE: Establishing Data Centers FOR Municipalities
The guide provides the framework and manual for developing data center projects.
DIGITAL PROJECT EVALUATION FOR MUNICIPALITIES
Incoming inquiries from investors can be quickly assessed in terms of risk, impact, and effects.
< Evaluate projects in under 60 minutes
Over 100 criteria
Digital Land Assessment
Our tool evaluates suitable areas based on the requirements of different types of data centers.

Digital Tools for Data Center Establishment
In addition to our guide, we offer municipalities and regional economic developers two digital tools that can be used to evaluate sites and project inquiries for quick and effective processing.

The tool for municipalities and economic promoters
Quick assessment of suitable sites and project inquiries.
GUIDE: Data Center Establishment FOR Municipalities
The guide provides the framework and manual for developing data center projects.
DIGITAL PROJECT EVALUATION FOR MUNICIPALITIES
Incoming inquiries from investors can be quickly assessed in terms of risk, impact, and effects.
< Evaluate projects in under 60 minutes
Over 100 criteria
Digital Land Assessment
Our tool allows for the evaluation of suitable areas according to the requirements of various data center types.

OUR OFFER
Order the guide or book a suitable training session on the content with our experts. The digital tools can be added as an annual license. All proceeds support the organization's independence.
GUIDE
Download the complete guide as a PDF.
€500
one-time
All chapters included
Attachments with valuable tools and facts
Case studies
GUIDE AND TRAINING
We present the contents of the guide to you personally and discuss your strategies and challenges.
€1,900
one-time
Guide included
4-hour training with real estate and data center experts
All training materials included
LICENSE FOR TOOLS
In addition to the training and guide, you will have access to the digital tools for one year.
€3,100
one-time
Guide included
Includes a 4-hour training with experts.
Access to the Land Valuation Tool (1 Year)
Access to the project request evaluation tool (1 year)
OUR OFFER
Order the guide or book a suitable training session on the content with our experts. The digital tools can be added as an annual license. All proceeds support the organization's independence.
GUIDE
Download the complete guide as a PDF.
€500
one-time
All chapters included
Attachments with valuable tools and facts
Case studies
GUIDE AND TRAINING
We present the contents of the guide to you personally and discuss your strategies and challenges.
€1,900
one-time
Guide included
4-hour training with real estate and data center experts
All training materials included
LICENSE FOR TOOLS
In addition to the training and guide, you will have access to the digital tools for one year.
€3,100
one-time
Guide included
Includes a 4-hour training with experts.
Access to the Land Valuation Tool (1 Year)
Access to the project request evaluation tool (1 year)
OUR OFFER
Order the guide or book a suitable training session on the content with our experts. The digital tools can be added as an annual license. All proceeds support the organization's independence.
GUIDE
Download the complete guide as a PDF.
€500
one-time
All chapters included
Attachments with valuable tools and facts
Case studies
GUIDE AND TRAINING
We present the contents of the guide to you personally and discuss your strategies and challenges.
€1,900
one-time
Guide included
4-hour training with real estate and data center experts
All training materials included
LICENSE FOR TOOLS
In addition to the training and guide, you will have access to the digital tools for one year.
€3,100
one-time
Guide included
Includes a 4-hour training with experts.
Access to the Land Valuation Tool (1 Year)
Access to the project request evaluation tool (1 year)
OUR EXPERTS
We are available for your inquiries. The guide and tools can be ordered directly through our team. Both the guide and the tools are exclusively available to the public sector.
Explore more services from IDED
Nutzen Sie vorgefertigte Vorlagen und Komponenten für ein professionelles, ansprechendes Äußeres. Sparen Sie Zeit und konzentrieren Sie sich auf den Inhalt mit unseren benutzerfreundlichen, anpassbaren Designlösungen.

Community Building
A digital ecosystem does not develop by itself – we strategically bring IT providers, the economy, and the digital sector together in a region.

Data Center Location Strategy
Data centers generate value but require space, power, and water – is it worth it for your region?

Digital Policy Consulting
Digitalization programs often fail not because of technology, but due to a lack of political frameworks and domain knowledge.

Digitization for Public Administration
Administrative digitalization improves citizen services—while simultaneously strengthening the regional digital economy and meeting sustainability goals.

Ecosystem Strategy
Regions invest in infrastructure, start-ups, and digitalization, but rarely as a system. This leaves value creation potential untapped.

Impact Assessment
Data centers consume electricity, IT portfolios are growing, servers are aging - do you know the actual impact?

Land Evaluation
An area near energy infrastructure can be ideal for data centers—or entirely unsuitable. We resolve it in a few days.

Monitoring
Data centers make commitments to environmental and economic impact. Without independent monitoring, they remain unchecked.

Needs Assessment
Data centers are often built without a clear understanding of demand – we determine the actual digital resource needs of your region.

Procurement Advisory
IT procurement in the public sector rarely fails due to budget issues, but more often due to criteria that do not reflect political and environmental goals.
Explore more services from IDED
Nutzen Sie vorgefertigte Vorlagen und Komponenten für ein professionelles, ansprechendes Äußeres. Sparen Sie Zeit und konzentrieren Sie sich auf den Inhalt mit unseren benutzerfreundlichen, anpassbaren Designlösungen.

Community Building
A digital ecosystem does not develop by itself – we strategically bring IT providers, the economy, and the digital sector together in a region.

Data Center Location Strategy
Data centers generate value but require space, power, and water – is it worth it for your region?

Digital Policy Consulting
Digitalization programs often fail not because of technology, but due to a lack of political frameworks and domain knowledge.

Digitization for Public Administration
Administrative digitalization improves citizen services—while simultaneously strengthening the regional digital economy and meeting sustainability goals.

Ecosystem Strategy
Regions invest in infrastructure, start-ups, and digitalization, but rarely as a system. This leaves value creation potential untapped.

Impact Assessment
Data centers consume electricity, IT portfolios are growing, servers are aging - do you know the actual impact?

Land Evaluation
An area near energy infrastructure can be ideal for data centers—or entirely unsuitable. We resolve it in a few days.

Monitoring
Data centers make commitments to environmental and economic impact. Without independent monitoring, they remain unchecked.

Needs Assessment
Data centers are often built without a clear understanding of demand – we determine the actual digital resource needs of your region.

Procurement Advisory
IT procurement in the public sector rarely fails due to budget issues, but more often due to criteria that do not reflect political and environmental goals.
Explore more services from IDED
Nutzen Sie vorgefertigte Vorlagen und Komponenten für ein professionelles, ansprechendes Äußeres. Sparen Sie Zeit und konzentrieren Sie sich auf den Inhalt mit unseren benutzerfreundlichen, anpassbaren Designlösungen.

Community Building

Data Center Location Strategy

Digital Policy Consulting

Digitization for Public Administration

Ecosystem Strategy

Impact Assessment

Land Evaluation

Monitoring

Needs Assessment

Procurement Advisory
Institute of German Economy
Contact
Association for the Promotion of Digital Ecosystems © 2026
Institute of German Economy
Contact
Association for the Promotion of Digital Ecosystems © 2026
Institute of German Economy
Contact
Association for the Promotion of Digital Ecosystems © 2026

