Digital Realty launches Türkiye campus via Rönesans JV

Digital Realty is expanding its global footprint into Türkiye through a partnership with Rönesans Infrastructure, aiming to address demand from cloud providers, enterprises, and public sector organizations in the region. The joint venture will develop a carrier-neutral campus in Ankara designed to support more than 22 MW of IT capacity, with construction already underway and expected to conclude in 2028.

The move positions Digital Realty’s PlatformDIGITAL in a strategic location bridging Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, offering customers an additional hub for infrastructure deployment and interconnection. The project follows the securing of land, power, and permitting, with early construction phases initiated to meet the 2028 target.

Market entry and capacity

The Ankara campus represents Digital Realty’s first physical presence in Türkiye, a market increasingly prioritized by global data center operators due to its geographic and economic significance. The facility is intended to serve national enterprises and public sector entities, though specific tenants have not been disclosed. With over 22 MW of planned IT capacity, the project aligns with the growing demand for scalable, interconnected infrastructure in the region.

Rönesans Infrastructure, a subsidiary of Rönesans Holding, brings local expertise in construction and infrastructure development, complementing Digital Realty’s operational experience in data center management. The joint venture structure allows both companies to leverage their respective strengths while mitigating risks associated with market entry.

Strategic implications

For infrastructure operators, the expansion into Türkiye reflects broader industry trends, including the diversification of data center locations to reduce latency and improve resilience for regional customers. The Ankara campus is expected to facilitate interconnection growth, enabling cloud and network providers to establish or expand their presence in the market. This aligns with Digital Realty’s strategy of offering carrier-neutral facilities that support hybrid and multi-cloud architectures.

The project also underscores the increasing importance of emerging markets in global data center strategies. Türkiye’s position as a crossroads between continents makes it an attractive location for operators seeking to serve customers in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The joint venture’s focus on securing land and power early in the process highlights the challenges of scaling infrastructure in high-demand regions, where resource constraints can delay project timelines.

What to watch

The success of the Ankara campus will depend on several factors, including the ability to attract anchor tenants and navigate local regulatory and operational challenges. Industry observers will be monitoring the project’s progress toward its 2028 completion target, as well as its impact on interconnection dynamics in the region. Additionally, the joint venture’s approach to sustainability and energy efficiency may set a precedent for future data center developments in Türkiye and other emerging markets.