Start Campus and EDP have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of data centers powered by renewable energy in Portugal. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to deliver sustainable computational capacity in line with Europe’s digital growth and decarbonization objectives.
The agreement focuses on three main areas: boosting renewable energy to meet rising digital demand, establishing EDP as Start Campus’ preferred partner for green energy solutions, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in Sines and future projects across Portugal and potentially other markets.
Both companies plan to anchor their initial efforts at the SINES Data Campus. This initiative is intended to strengthen Portugal’s position as a leader in Europe’s transition toward green digital infrastructure.
Ana Quelhas, Head of Hydrogen and Data Centers Business Unit at EDP, stated: “Electricity demand from data centers is rising rapidly — in Europe alone, we expect around 70 TWh of additional consumption by 2030. EDP is ready to support the development of digital infrastructure that can scale reliably and sustainably, leveraging on our strong capabilities in renewable electricity and energy management.” Quelhas added: “EDP’s background and track record in clean energy development, combined with Start Campus’ expertise in developing world-class data centers, form a robust foundation to deliver renewable-powered digital infrastructure at scale, in Portugal.”
Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus, said: “This partnership framework reflects a shared conviction that digital infrastructure and renewable energy must be developed together, at scale and with long-term system resilience in mind. By aligning Start Campus’ platform vision with EDP’s energy leadership and global experience supporting hyperscale digital infrastructure, we are laying the foundations for an integrated approach to digital growth — starting in Sines and extending across the country — that supports customers, strengthens the energy system and delivers sustainable economic value.”
Daniel Boehm, Partner and Co-Head of the European Corporates Team at Davidson Kempner, commented: “Davidson Kempner is pleased to support this strategic alignment as part of our long-term commitment to building resilient digital infrastructure platforms. The framework between Start Campus and EDP reflects the type of forward-looking collaboration required to enable scalable, energy-aligned digital infrastructure, underpinned by sustainability and long-term investment discipline.”
Portugal currently sources about 68 percent of its electricity from renewables as of 2025. This provides a strong foundation for further development of sustainable data center operations within the country.
The MoU will see both parties continue technical, commercial, and strategic discussions aimed at creating competitive renewable solutions for growing digital needs. These efforts also aim to improve grid resilience, maintain price stability over time, reduce dependence on imported electricity from abroad, and promote adoption of renewables.
Start Campus is responsible for constructing the SINES Data Campus—a 1.2 GW facility designed as one of Europe’s largest data ecosystems using only renewable power. The campus targets advanced efficiency standards such as a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio of 1.1 while aiming for zero water usage through ocean-based cooling technologies. With an estimated total investment value reaching €8.5 billion, it offers flexible options including powered shell spaces or turn-key solutions tailored for customers.
For more details about Start Campus projects visit www.startcampus.pt
