Data Centers in Aalst
2 locations found
Need Help?
Tell us about your needs and our team of experts will help you find and choose the perfect Data Center and solution at the best price.
Explore Other Markets in Belgium
Aalst – Strategic Colocation in the Heart of Europe
Executive Summary
Aalst provides a stable and cost-effective colocation market for enterprises seeking a secondary site within Belgium or an edge presence to serve the Benelux region. It offers a low-risk operational environment, making it a strong choice for workloads that prioritize uptime and reliability over direct hyperscale cloud connectivity. This location ensures high-performance access to one of Europe's most densely populated areas without the premium costs of a capital city.
Aalst: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Solid regional connectivity, though not as dense as a primary European hub. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Access is available via private network extension from the primary hub in Brussels. |
| Power Cost | €0.09/kWh – as of August 2025 | Competitive industrial rates support predictable and efficient operational costs. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (2.6/10) – as of September 2025 | Minimal exposure to significant natural hazards, ensuring high operational uptime. |
| Tax Incentives | No | No specific data center tax incentives are currently offered by the government. |
| Sales Tax | 21% VAT – as of September 2025 | The standard national Value Added Tax rate applies to all colocation services. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality The Aalst market is focused, with service from 1 primary provider across 2 data centers as of September 2025. This provides reliable, albeit concentrated, connectivity options for deployments in the region.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps There are no direct cloud on-ramps located in Aalst. Businesses connect to hyperscale clouds by establishing a private network connection to the nearest major interconnection hub in Brussels, which offers a full suite of cloud access points.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) Direct peering is handled through national exchanges in Brussels, such as BNIX (Belgian National Internet Exchange). This centralized peering provides efficient traffic exchange with national and international networks.
Bare Metal Bare metal server options are available, typically provisioned from the larger Brussels market. Providers like OVHcloud offer dedicated server infrastructure that can be connected to colocation facilities in Aalst for hybrid deployments.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power The average industrial power cost is approximately €0.09/kWh as of August 2025. This competitive pricing makes the region financially attractive for running energy-intensive compute and storage infrastructure.
Power Grid Reliability Belgium's power grid is stable and well-maintained, supported by a diverse energy mix of nuclear, renewable, and fossil fuel sources. Data centers in the area are served by reliable power infrastructure designed to support mission-critical operations.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts Aalst is strategically situated on the E40 motorway corridor, placing it directly between the major economic hubs of Brussels and Ghent. This location provides low-latency connectivity to the commercial heart of Belgium.
Regional Market Reach From Aalst, businesses can effectively serve the densely populated regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and the broader Benelux area (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg). Its central position is ideal for regional content delivery and service distribution.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers Belgium does not offer specific tax incentives for data center construction or operation. The market's financial advantage stems from competitive real estate and power costs rather than government tax relief programs.
Natural Disaster Risk
Belgium has a low overall natural disaster risk profile, with an INFORM Risk score of 2.6 out of 10 as of September 2025. This environment is highly conducive to maintaining operational continuity and protecting critical infrastructure investments.
The most significant potential hazards for the country are primarily related to flooding.
- River Flood Risk: The most notable risk, reflecting the country's many rivers.
- Coastal Flood Risk: A factor at the national level, though indirect for inland locations like Aalst.
- Earthquake Risk: Considered low.
- Drought Risk: A minor but present consideration.
