The Arcadis Data Center Location Index 2021

As our lives move more and more online, demand for new data centers has surged. For data center operators, deciding on the best location for a new facility is the first, critical step to ensure optimal return on investment and sustainability performance. Arcadis’s first ever Data Center Location Index provides an indicative ranking, based on eight indicators, of how suitable 50 markets across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific are for data center investments. Explore the interactive map below to learn more.

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USA

Netherlands

Germany

France

Brazil

UAE

China

Thailand

Australia

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Netherlands

Germany

UAE

Thailand

USA

GDP/Capita

68.5

Construction permits

78.8

Electricity price

27.3

Energy security

76.0

Cybersecurity

92.2

Mobile Broadband

65.4

Market size

60.2

Download speed

27.6

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

#14

Overall ranking

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Construction Permits Ease of obtaining construction permits indicates the time and costs associated with getting necessary documentation and permissions to build and switch on a new facility Source: World Bank

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

The Arcadis Data Center Construction Roadmap

GDP/Capita

Construction permits

Electricity price

Energy security

Cybersecurity

Mobile Broadband

Market size

Download speed

Score/100

61.6

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

8.6

Construction permits

0.0

Electricity price

44.9

Energy security

74.7

Cybersecurity

32.4

Mobile Broadband

36.3

Market size

73.6

Download speed

6.1

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

#42

Score/100

38.7

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

9.6

Construction permits

61.1

Electricity price

64.4

Energy security

54.3

Cybersecurity

80.3

Mobile Broadband

40.9

Market size

100.0

Download speed

55.6

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

#15

Score/100

61.6

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

48.8

Construction permits

53.8

Electricity price

60.5

Energy security

92.2

Cybersecurity

97.5

Mobile Broadband

38.5

Market size

72.1

Download speed

53.9

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

Score/100

64.2

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

56.4

Construction permits

63.2

Electricity price

2.0

Energy security

90.2

Cybersecurity

84.4

Mobile Broadband

32.2

Market size

76.0

Download speed

43.1

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

#26

Score/100

56.3

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

63.1

Construction permits

42.1

Electricity price

56.6

Energy security

79.1

Cybersecurity

91.2

Mobile Broadband

38.1

Market size

54.5

Download speed

72.1

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

#19

Score/100

61.0

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

6.5

Construction permits

61.1

Electricity price

60.0

Energy security

49.6

Cybersecurity

74.2

Mobile Broadband

46.8

Market size

58.4

Download speed

31.1

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

#33

Score/100

49.2

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

50.7

Construction permits

91.1

Electricity price

73.7

Energy security

61.2

Cybersecurity

76.3

Mobile Broadband

100.0

Market size

51.4

Download speed

15.0

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

Score/100

64.6

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

GDP/Capita

50.7

Construction permits

68.3

Electricity price

40.5

Energy security

92.2

Cybersecurity

100.0

Mobile Broadband

41.8

Market size

72.5

Download speed

38.5

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

#13

Score/100

62.6

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

Demand indicators

GDP/Capita

75.2

Construction permits

67.5

Electricity price

47.3

Energy security

87.3

Cybersecurity

99.0

Mobile Broadband

70.7

Market size

98.8

Download speed

58.4

Download speed Mean download speed is the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak times. Source: cable.co.uk

Market size Domestic market size is the sum of GDP plus the value of imports, minus the value of exports. Source: World Economic Forum Global Competitive Index

Mobile broadband This is a measurement of the number of mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 people living in the country. Source: Global Competitiveness Report

Cybersecurity This measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. Source: International Telecommunication Union

Energy Security This measures a country’s ability to provide energy through three dimensions: security, equity and environmental sustainability Source: World Energy Council

Electricity Price The average price of electricity for warehouse use in each country is measured in US cents per kilowatt-hour. Source: World Bank

GDP/Capita GDP – Gross domestic product per capita indicates a country’s prosperity and economic growth. Source: World Bank

Overall ranking

Score/100

77.9

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Privacy

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Location

The first step is deciding where to place the proposed new data center. Clients need in depth knowledge of countries’ markets as well as info on regional difference within countries.

Savvy due diligence conducted at this stage is essential in terms of making informed decisions that can maximize return on investment across the entire journey.

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Planning

Clients must decide how, and on what time schedule they will design the new facility, secure all of the necessary permits and permissions, engage with a multitude of suppliers and service providers, have the facility built and outfitted and when they will switch the facility on.

Maintaining highly competent due diligence efforts throughout this phase will help clients avoid unforeseen costs or delays in the ensuing steps. This is also the stage at which project and cost management efforts must begin.

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Permitting

During the permitting phase, clients settle on the detailed design of the proposed, new facility. Based on that design, companies then have to secure all of the necessary permits and other permissions needed to actually build the data center and switch it on.

Sustainable and resilient design of the building(s) can significantly enhance the value of the asset(s) and greatly reduce negative impacts on the environment. Project management and cost management expertise can help companies better navigate their way through this phase.

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Construction and Delivery

The construction and delivery of the new facilities is undoubtedly the most critical step of this process. The difference between a successful project to build a new data center and, a really successful one, is how well the operator can pull off the build and get things up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible.

This is where data center operators can reap the full benefits of skillful project and cost management services.

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Operations

After the facilities have been built, the servers are installed, connected to the fiber optic network, and the new data center is brought online. Sustainability and resilience features (designed into the plan earlier on and delivered during the build phase) can generate tremendous savings over the long-term.

Smart analytics solutions can help operators optimize their maintenance schedules to prevent breakdowns and diminished asset performance from delays in discovering faulty equipment or infrastructure.

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Click on a country to discover its ranking.

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

8.6

Construction permits

0.0

Electricity price

44.9

Energy security

74.7

Cybersecurity

32.4

Mobile Broadband

36.3

Market size

73.6

Download speed

6.1

Score/100

38.7

Overall ranking

#42

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

9.6

Construction permits

61.1

Electricity price

64.4

Energy security

54.3

Cybersecurity

80.3

Mobile Broadband

40.9

Market size

100.0

Download speed

55.6

Score/100

61.6

Overall ranking

#15

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

48.8

Construction permits

53.8

Electricity price

60.5

Energy security

92.2

Cybersecurity

97.5

Mobile Broadband

38.5

Market size

72.1

Download speed

53.9

Score/100

64.2

Overall ranking

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

56.4

Construction permits

63.2

Electricity price

2.0

Energy security

90.2

Cybersecurity

84.4

Mobile Broadband

32.2

Market size

76.0

Download speed

43.1

Score/100

56.3

Overall ranking

#26

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

63.1

Construction permits

42.1

Electricity price

56.6

Energy security

79.1

Cybersecurity

91.2

Mobile Broadband

38.1

Market size

54.5

Download speed

72.1

Score/100

61.0

Overall ranking

#19

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

6.5

Construction permits

61.1

Electricity price

60.0

Energy security

49.6

Cybersecurity

74.2

Mobile Broadband

46.8

Market size

58.4

Download speed

31.1

Score/100

49.2

Overall ranking

#33

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

50.7

Construction permits

91.1

Electricity price

73.7

Energy security

61.2

Cybersecurity

76.3

Mobile Broadband

100.0

Market size

51.4

Download speed

15.0

Score/100

64.6

Overall ranking

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

50.7

Construction permits

68.3

Electricity price

40.5

Energy security

92.2

Cybersecurity

100.0

Mobile Broadband

41.8

Market size

72.5

Download speed

38.5

Score/100

62.6

Overall ranking

#13

USA

UAE

Thailand

Netherlands

Germany

France

China

Brazil

Australia

Supply indicators

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Demand indicators

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GDP/Capita

75.2

Construction permits

67.5

Electricity price

47.3

Energy security

87.3

Cybersecurity

99.0

Mobile Broadband

70.7

Market size

98.8

Download speed

58.4

Score/100

77.9

Overall ranking

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Planning

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Permitting

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This is where data center operators can reap the full benefits of skillful project and cost management services.

Construction and Delivery

Step 1

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Step 4

Step 5

Smart analytics solutions can help operators optimize their maintenance schedules to prevent breakdowns and diminished asset performance from delays in discovering faulty equipment or infrastructure.

Operations

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Step 2

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Step 5

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