Data Centers in Ghent
3 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
Ghent – Reliable Colocation in Europe's Core
Executive Summary
Ghent provides a stable and strategic colocation market for businesses targeting the Benelux region and Western Europe. Its low natural disaster risk and reliable infrastructure make it an excellent choice for disaster recovery or primary workloads requiring high uptime. This ensures consistent service delivery and protects critical digital assets.
Ghent: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | A solid secondary market with reliable connectivity, complementing the primary hub of Brussels. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Access is via private interconnects to Brussels, the nearest major cloud region hub. |
| Power Cost | €0.09/kWh – as of August 2025 | Competitive pricing for Western Europe, supported by a diverse nuclear and renewable grid. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (2.6/10) – as of September 2025 | Very low exposure to significant seismic, weather, or other natural disruptions. |
| Tax Incentives | No | Belgium does not currently offer specific tax breaks or financial incentives for data centers. |
| Sales Tax | 21% VAT – as of September 2025 | The standard Value Added Tax rate applies to equipment and services. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Ghent's connectivity is reliable and well-suited for regional workloads, with primary interconnection points located nearby in Brussels.
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: The market offers access to a focused selection of national and regional carriers, with at least 3 data centers available as of September 2025. Carrier-neutral facilities provide the primary path to network diversity.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct public cloud on-ramps located within Ghent as of September 2025. Businesses connect to cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud (GCP), and Microsoft Azure through dedicated private network links to data centers in Brussels.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The primary national exchange, BNIX (Belgian National Internet eXchange), is centered in the Brussels metro. Peering in Ghent is typically handled privately or routed through facilities connected to BNIX.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server solutions are available in the region, offering dedicated compute for performance-sensitive applications. Providers with a strong European presence, such as OVHcloud and Leaseweb, can service deployments in the area.
Power Analysis
Belgium's power infrastructure is modern and integrated into the wider European grid, ensuring high levels of stability.
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial power costs are competitive for the region, averaging approximately €0.09/kWh as of August 2025. This predictable pricing helps manage operational expenses for compute-intensive workloads. The grid features a balanced mix of generation sources, with around 40% from nuclear, 30% from renewables, and 30% from fossil fuels.
Power Grid Reliability: The national power grid is well-engineered and reliable. Data centers in the Ghent area are typically supported by redundant power feeds from multiple substations, ensuring excellent uptime for critical infrastructure.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Ghent's location provides a strategic advantage for accessing both local and regional European markets.
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Ghent serve the city's significant port and logistics industries, as well as its growing technology and university research sectors. Low-latency connectivity is a key benefit for these local enterprises.
Regional Market Reach: The market is ideally positioned to serve the entire Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and northern France. It offers an effective alternative to the larger, more congested markets of Amsterdam, Paris, or Frankfurt.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Belgium does not offer specific tax incentives for data center development or operation. The financial advantages are primarily operational, stemming from competitive power pricing and the country's stable business climate.
Natural Disaster Risk
Ghent has a low natural disaster risk profile, with an INFORM Risk score of 2.6 out of 10 as of September 2025. This stability is a key advantage for deploying mission-critical infrastructure requiring maximum uptime.
The area's primary environmental hazards are well-understood and mitigated through modern infrastructure engineering and careful site selection. The most notable risks include:
- Coastal Flood: The region has some exposure due to its canal system, though it is protected by extensive and modern flood control systems.
- River Flood: Similar to coastal flooding, this risk is present but heavily mitigated by national water management infrastructure.
- Earthquake: Seismic risk is considered very low.
