The demand for digital infrastructure is growing, but can we build the capacity fast enough? Developing a data centre is a complex journey with tough construction timelines. Belgium has all the ingredients to become a leading European data centre hub. The challenge now is turning that potential into reality.
This blog provides key takeaways from a panel discussion at Level X featuring Didier Wauters (Tractebel Engineering), Eric Lisica (Kevlinx), Joris Verdickt (Schneider Electric), and Luc Spin (UC-DC).
Can a data centre be built in just nine months? Looking at the full project timeline, that estimate quickly stretches to two or three years. The design phase alone takes six to nine months, while construction requires another 12 to 28 months, assuming everything goes according to plan.
In reality, construction itself is rarely the biggest bottleneck. The real challenge lies in everything that must happen before ground can be broken. From securing permits and obtaining a grid connection to procuring long-lead-time equipment, every step has potential to delay a project. If these prerequisites are not in place, even the best-designed data centre cannot move forward.
From power and permitting to supply
What are the biggest obstacles encountered while building a data centre? The biggest challenge, and the area where Belgium should strive to distinguish itself from other countries, is permitting. Timelines for obtaining permits can vary enormously, making planning and investment difficult. Grid access is a second major constraint. Without both a permit and sufficient grid capacity, a project simply cannot start. Delays also increase the risk that investors will walk away. Ultimately, predictability and effective planning are more valuable than speed or ambition alone.
A third challenge lies in the supply chain. Long-lead equipment such as transformers, switchgear, and generators can now take up to 18 months to procure, making early ordering essential for digital infrastructure projects. To reduce uncertainty, manufacturers are increasingly relying on prefabricated, modular solutions and standardised designs. Yet even when the supply chain performs as expected, technology evolves so rapidly that market requirements may have shifted by the time construction begins.
Closing the talent gap
Finally, shortage of skilled talent remains another significant challenge for data centre projects. Finding qualified engineers, technicians, and project managers continues to be difficult. To address this gap, companies are investing in training, building partnerships with universities, and recruiting talent internationally.
Nevertheless, the panel at LevelX was optimistic, believing that Belgium can turn this challenge into a competitive advantage. The country benefits from a highly educated workforce, a multilingual talent pool, and extensive experience in delivering complex industrial projects. The greatest challenge may be improving public perception of digital infrastructure to attract the next generation of engineers and technicians.
A national master plan for digital infrastructure
With other markets in the FLAP-D region facing increasing constraints, Belgium has an opportunity to position itself as an attractive location for digital infrastructure investment. Thanks to its strategic location, Brussels can serve neighbouring markets through low-latency connections. However, the panellists agreed that Belgium’s competitiveness depends on making project delivery far more predictable, particularly when it comes to permitting and access to power.
Several speakers therefore called for a coordinated national strategy for digital infrastructure. Rather than adding another layer of regulation, such a strategy should provide a long-term vision that recognises data centres as critical infrastructure. It could simplify permitting by identifying suitable development sites, streamlining approval processes and aligning grid development with future demand. At the same time, it could help determine which types of digital infrastructure Belgium should prioritise as AI workloads continue to reshape the market.
The panel also pointed to an interesting opportunity: Belgium’s former industrial sites. Many of these locations already have access to the power infrastructure that new projects require, making them strong candidates for dedicated digital economy zones. By combining suitable locations with available grid capacity, Belgium could significantly accelerate projects.
Ultimately, the panel’s message was clear. The demand for digital infrastructure is already here, and the technology to build it exists. The real challenge is creating the conditions that allow projects to move forward with confidence. More predictable permitting, faster access to power, closer collaboration between industry and government, and a clear long-term vision could strengthen Belgium’s position as a competitive hub for digital infrastructure.
Do you want to learn more? Click here to watch the full panel discussion at Level X.
