Data Centers in Aalst
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Aalst – Reliable Connectivity in Flanders
Executive Summary
Aalst provides a strategic colocation alternative to the primary Brussels market for businesses operating in Belgium. It is an excellent fit for disaster recovery sites or for companies that require a stable, lower-cost footprint with solid connectivity to the rest of the Benelux region. This positioning allows for resilient infrastructure deployment while managing costs effectively.
Aalst: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Solid regional access but not a primary international hub. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Direct access is available via network extension to nearby Brussels. |
| Power Cost | €0.09/kWh – as of August 2025 | Competitive European pricing with a balanced nuclear and renewable energy mix. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (2.6/10) – as of September 2025 | Primary risks are regional flooding and minor seismic activity. |
| Tax Incentives | No | Belgium does not offer specific data center tax abatement programs. |
| Sales Tax | 21% VAT – as of September 2025 | Standard Belgian value-added tax rate applies to services. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: As of September 2025, Aalst is a focused market with at least one carrier-neutral data center provider offering services from two facilities. While local carrier density is limited, customers have access to a much broader ecosystem of networks through cross-connects and backhaul to Brussels.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct public cloud on-ramps located in Aalst. Businesses requiring dedicated, low-latency cloud access must establish a private network connection (PNI) to interconnection hubs in Brussels, which hosts on-ramps for all major providers.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The primary internet exchange for Belgium is the BNIX (Belgian National Internet eXchange) in Brussels. Peering for networks based in Aalst is typically routed through private connections to this exchange to optimize traffic flow within the country and to international destinations.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available in the region, providing dedicated compute resources for performance-sensitive workloads. Providers such as Hivelocity and Leaseweb offer solutions that can serve customers in the Aalst market.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: The industrial power rate in the region is approximately €0.09/kWh, as of August 2025. This competitive rate helps manage operational expenditures for power-dense deployments. Belgium's energy mix includes significant contributions from nuclear, renewables, and fossil fuels, providing a degree of price stability.
Power Grid Reliability: The power grid supporting Aalst is well-engineered, consistent with Belgian and Western European standards. Data centers in the region typically have access to redundant power feeds from multiple substations to ensure high levels of uptime for critical infrastructure.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Aalst are strategically located between Ghent and Brussels, offering low-latency access to the key commercial centers of the Flemish Region. This position is ideal for supporting local enterprises and regional operations.
Regional Market Reach: From Aalst, organizations can effectively serve the 11 million people in Belgium and establish a network point-of-presence for reaching the Netherlands, western Germany, and northern France.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Belgium offers a standard corporate tax environment without specific incentives designed for data center development or operation. The primary financial advantage comes from potentially lower real estate and operational costs compared to the capital city of Brussels.
Natural Disaster Risk
Aalst has a low natural disaster risk profile, with an INFORM Risk score of 2.6 out of 10, as of September 2025. This indicates a very stable environment for building and operating critical infrastructure.
The primary environmental risks for the region, though still rated low, are coastal flooding impacting the broader country, river flooding, and minor earthquake activity. Risks from tsunami, tropical cyclones, and drought are negligible.
