Vertiv selected to supply advanced AI-ready infrastructure for Digital Realty's new data center campus in Italy

Technology

Vertiv selected to supply advanced AI-ready infrastructure for Digital Realty's new data center campus in Italy

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced its selection to supply next-generation, AI-ready infrastructure for ROM1, Digital Realty’s first data center campus in Italy, designed with a planned capacity exceeding 3 megawatts (MW).

The agreement reinforces the long-standing collaboration between Vertiv and Digital Realty, extending their partnership across Europe, including existing implementations in Paris, Madrid, and Amsterdam.

The ROM1 facility, located in Rome, will feature advanced cooling and power systems tailored to support high-performance computing (HPC) and AI workloads. Among the innovations are free-cooling technologies optimized for Rome’s climate and energy-efficient power management systems designed to handle high-density computing environments.

The project will be executed in phases, with operations expected to begin in 2027. As a carrier-neutral facility, ROM1 will serve as a digital hub for AI and machine learning workloads, connecting major Mediterranean cities through fiber networks and submarine cables. Expansion plans include additional connectivity in Barcelona, set to launch in early 2026, further strengthening Digital Realty’s presence across the Mediterranean region alongside its existing sites in Marseille, Athens, and Crete.

“Rome is emerging as a crucial gateway for digital infrastructure between Europe and the Mediterranean,” said Alessandro Talotta, Managing Director, Italy, at Digital Realty. “The cutting-edge technologies integrated into ROM1 will establish it as a strategic AI hub, setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and high-performance computing.”

“The growing adoption of AI applications is driving demand for more sophisticated data center infrastructure,” added Karsten Winther, President for EMEA at Vertiv. “Our cooling and power solutions are engineered to deliver scalability, efficiency, and sustainability to meet the evolving needs of data-driven enterprises.”

The ROM1 campus will also feature AI-ready adaptive cooling, smart environmental controls, and high-efficiency power distribution designed to optimize performance while reducing environmental impact. These innovations align with both companies’ shared vision of advancing digital transformation sustainably across Europe and the Mediterranean.