In a major leap toward digital and energy innovation in Europe, Khazna Data Centers and Eni, Italy’s leading integrated energy company, have signed a Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement to establish a joint venture that will develop a cutting-edge 500 MW AI Data Center Campus in Ferrera Erbognone, Lombardy.
The agreement marks a strategic milestone in the evolving Italy-UAE partnership, launched earlier this year, which aims to bring up to 1 GW of IT capacity to Italy. With development already underway, the project is positioned to become a cornerstone of Europe’s AI-driven digital transformation.
Designed to be scalable and highly energy-efficient, the AI Data Center Campus will integrate high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities with a sustainable infrastructure framework. These design principles align with the vision of both companies and participating institutions, aiming to boost Europe’s digital resilience through AI.
The HoT was signed by Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers, and Guido Brusco, Eni’s COO of Global Natural Resources, in a ceremony attended by Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Adolfo Urso, Italy’s Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
“We’re proud to partner with Eni, a demonstrated energy leader, on this HoT, which represents a defining step in Khazna’s European expansion,” said Hassan Alnaqbi. “Together, we’re building the infrastructure that will power the AI revolution—at scale, sustainably, and with operational precision.”
Guido Brusco emphasized the project’s broader impact: “Through this partnership, Eni and Khazna are jointly contributing to delivering a world-class hyperscale infrastructure—strategic for Italy and Europe—combining our strengths in innovation, energy sustainability, and speed to market.”
What sets this initiative apart is its integrated energy model. The data center campus will be powered by “Blue Power”, Eni’s proprietary low-carbon electricity generated by a new high-efficiency Gas Power Plant designed with CO₂ capture capabilities. This represents a first-of-its-kind synergy between decarbonized energy and hyperscale digital infrastructure in Italy.
By combining Khazna’s advanced data center expertise with Eni’s sustainable energy leadership, the project is expected to accelerate the growth of a robust, AI-ready digital ecosystem in Europe, redefining the future of data and energy convergence./insights