Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, will provide next-generation infrastructure for ROM1, the first data center of Digital Realty in Italy, with an expected capacity exceeding 3 MW.
The agreement expands the range of solutions offered by Vertiv and the technological implementations active between the two companies in several European locations, including Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam.
The ROM1 data center will be equipped with the latest generation power and cooling solutions, specifically designed to respond to high-performance computing (HPC) environments. The technologies adopted include innovative free-cooling systems that make the most of Rome's climatic conditions and highly energy-efficient power management systems designed to support high-density workloads.
The project will be implemented in multiple phases and operations are expected to start in 2027. ROM1 will serve as a carrier-neutral framework, optimized to handle AI and machine learning workloads. Thanks to its strategic location, the new data center will help consolidate Rome's role as a key digital hub, connecting the main cities of the Mediterranean through fiber optic networks and submarine cables. The expansion plans also include connectivity to Barcelona, which will launch in early 2026. The new facility will support the company's growth as a leader in the Mediterranean, alongside data centers already operating in Marseille, Athens and Crete.
«Rome is taking on an increasingly central role as a digital infrastructure hub between Europe and the Mediterranean», underlines Alessandro Talotta, Managing Director Italy of Digital Realty. «The cutting-edge technologies adopted for ROM1 will help make it a strategic reference point for artificial intelligence, setting new reference standards for energy efficiency and performance in high-performance computing systems.»
“The growing diffusion of AI applications is accelerating the demand for increasingly sophisticated data center infrastructures,” adds Karsten Winther, president EMEA at Vertiv. “Our cooling and power solutions are built on decades of experience supporting the most demanding applications and are designed to deliver expected scalability while helping our customers achieve their efficiency goals.”
ROM1's most innovative solutions include cooling systems optimized for AI applications capable of dynamically adapting to different workloads, and a high-efficiency electrical distribution system designed for intensive computing. The data center incorporates intelligent environmental control systems that respond to real-time conditions and are integrated with renewable energy sources. These technological choices reflect both companies' focus on supporting the most advanced computing needs, while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact.
