Portugal stands as the new digital and energy hub of the Atlantic

Portugal is no longer on the periphery of Europe’s digital and economic map. It is becoming one of the most exciting and strategically positioned countries in the continent’s transformation towards a green, data-driven future. This week, as Lisbon hosts Atlantic Convergence 2025, global leaders in digital infrastructure are gathering to discuss how artificial intelligence, connectivity, and clean energy are reshaping the global economy. Few places better represent that intersection than Portugal itself.
The country’s data center sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace. According to Portugal DC, the industry’s contribution to the national economy is projected to soar from €160 million in 2024 to €3.7 billion by 2031. This explosive growth is fuelled by more than €13 billion in direct investment, as global technology companies, hyperscalers, and AI infrastructure providers look to Portugal as Europe’s next great digital hub.
What makes Portugal so attractive is its unique blend of geography, energy, and stability. With access to transatlantic submarine cables, one of Europe’s highest shares of renewable energy, and a competitive energy cost structure, the country is perfectly placed to host the next generation of sustainable data centers. While northern Europe struggles with energy saturation and land constraints, southern Europe—and Portugal in particular—is stepping confidently into the spotlight.
The impact of this new wave of investment is already visible. Thousands of highly skilled jobs are being created, with projections rising from 2,800 in 2024 to nearly 10,000 by 2031. These are roles in engineering, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure management—fields that will define the future of the global economy.
Beyond the numbers, what is truly remarkable is the speed and alignment with which Portugal is acting. Local municipalities, government agencies, and private companies are working together through national interest projects, tax incentives, and accelerated licensing frameworks. This agility is giving Portugal a reputation for being not just open to innovation, but ready for it.
One of the latest examples comes from the Alentejo region, where a new €200 million data center will soon begin construction, creating over 60 new high-skilled jobs. The project highlights the country’s commitment to decentralizing digital development, bringing investment and opportunity beyond Lisbon and Porto.
As the world accelerates toward an AI-powered future, Portugal’s blend of green energy, connectivity, and vision gives it a unique advantage. The nation is becoming a bridge between continents, linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas through data, energy, and innovation.
The Atlantic Convergence taking place this week in Lisbon is more than a conference. It is a symbol of the new Portugal: confident, connected, and essential to the future of the digital economy.
Portugal is not just part of the conversation anymore. It is helping lead it. And as the country builds the physical and digital backbone of tomorrow’s world, its success will bring prosperity not only to its economy but to the people shaping it.