Lengthy waits for power grid connections are complicating Amazon’s plans to expand data centers across Europe, the company told Reuters, adding pressure on policymakers to modernise ageing electricity networks. Amazon said delays in securing reliable grid access have become a critical factor in deciding where to invest.
Pamela MacDougall, head of energy markets and regulation for Amazon Web Services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said connecting to Europe’s transmission grids can take up to seven years, far longer than the roughly two years required to build a data center. By contrast, grid connections in the United States typically take one to three years, though they can also stretch longer.
Amazon said uncertainty around delivery timelines and grid congestion has made some European projects unviable. Countries such as Italy and Spain face backlogs caused by speculative connection requests, preventing viable projects from moving ahead. The European Commission has proposed reforms to speed up permits and grid upgrades, but negotiations are still ongoing. Industry groups warn that without faster grid expansion, Europe risks losing major technology investments.
