What if data centers became one of the most effective drivers of reindustrialization and regional revitalization?

Industrial sites or brownfields with existing electrical infrastructure now present a strategic opportunity to host next-generation digital infrastructure. This roundtable discussion will highlight how the repurposing of these sites can restore productive use to underutilized assets while making the most of existing electrical infrastructure—which is often difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Using concrete examples, the speakers will illustrate how these projects contribute to the creation of local economic value, the attractiveness of regions, and the emergence of a sovereign digital ecosystem. They will discuss the conditions for acceptance, the relationship with local energy challenges, financing models, and the crucial role of carbon-free electricity in the development of this infrastructure.

The discussions will focus in particular on the growing interest in mid-sized sovereign data centers located near major urban centers and economic hubs. These facilities meet the needs of businesses and government agencies seeking control over their data, resilient information systems, low latency, and geographic proximity to their digital resources.

The goal is to demonstrate that the next-generation data center is no longer merely a piece of digital equipment. It is a true regional asset capable of accelerating the redevelopment of electrified brownfield sites, attracting new investment, strengthening national digital sovereignty, and providing sustainable support for regional economic and industrial development.