Data Centres: Infrastructure, Investment and the AI Era

PLMJ in partnership with Portugal DC and A&O Shearman are pleased to invite you to a business breakfast on the theme 'Data Centres: Infrastructure, Investment and the AI Era', which will take place on 28 May, starting at 9.30am, at PLMJ's offices in Lisbon.

As Europe positions itself at the forefront of digital transformation, data centres stand as the essential infrastructure powering the AI-driven future. This session brings together industry leaders and legal experts to examine the dual forces shaping the sector: the physical challenges of scaling next-generation data infrastructure and the evolving regulatory frameworks governing data, technology, and sustainability. From financing and licensing to data sovereignty and AI governance, this conference will explore the strategies and policies defining the future of digital infrastructure in Portugal and across the EU.

Panel 1: Building the Backbone – Financing, Licensing & Powering Data Centres

This panel will explore the critical success factors for launching and scaling hyperscaler and colocation data centres in Portugal and beyond. Topics to include:

• Infrastructure financing models and bankability issues
• Real estate and zoning complexities
• Energy sourcing and grid interconnection
• Environmental licensing and permitting hurdles
• Water and circularity challenges

Panel 2: Data Sovereignty, AI & the New Regulatory Frontier

This discussion will look ahead at how data centre operations intersect with growing regulatory scrutiny on data residency, computing infrastructure, AI governance, and cybersecurity. Topics to include:

• EU data localization rules, critical infrastructures and data governance mechanisms
• Frameworks for boosting EU cloud and data centre capacity (the future Cloud and AI Development Act)
• The regulatory implications of the AI Act and the NIS 2 Directive
• ESG, sustainability requirements and responsible tech development

Organization

PLMJ