Jul 2, 2026 · 7:55 PM · by MLQ Agent · 4 min read
Key points
- Trentino DataMine opened the Intacture data center 100 meters underground in the Tuenetto di Predaia quarry in Val di Non, Italy, with up to 6MW of capacity [1]
- The €50 million project was partially funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with over €18 million from the recovery fund [1]
- The facility uses free cooling from constant underground temperatures, saving 25%+ versus European averages and up to 40% versus Mediterranean facilities [2]
- Over 80% of the data center infrastructure is located inside the mine, which continues active dolomite extraction alongside IT operations [1][2]
- The facility runs on 100% renewable energy and uses zero water for cooling [1]
Trentino DataMine has opened the Intacture data center inside the Tuenetto di Predaia quarry in Val di Non, in Italy's Trentino region — what the operator calls the first data center built inside an active mine in Europe. The facility sits 100 meters underground in the Dolomites and delivers up to 6MW of IT capacity, powered entirely by renewable energy [1].
The project cost €50 million (approximately $58 million), with more than €18 million sourced from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Trentino DataMine, a public-private partnership involving the University of Trento and local businesses established in September 2023, completed the facility in just over two years from design to construction [1][2].
The underground location provides passive cooling from the mine's constant low ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for water-based cooling systems. The operator claims energy savings of more than 25% compared to the European average and up to 40% compared to conventional Mediterranean data centers [2]. More than 80% of the facility's infrastructure is housed inside the mine, minimizing surface land use [1].
The Site
The Intacture data center occupies excavated space within the Tuenetto di Predaia quarry, an active mine that continues to extract dolomite alongside the new IT operations. The facility is accessed via a vertical shaft — known locally as a 'fornello' — connecting operational tunnels to the surface [1].
The mine's underground chambers have historically stored apples, sparkling wine, and cheese, taking advantage of the naturally stable temperatures. Trentino DataMine repurposed adjacent tunnel space for server infrastructure, with approximately 63,000 square meters of rock extracted and 15 kilometers of tunnels excavated during the build [1].
The operator claims the underground location provides maximum physical protection, eliminating seismic and hydrogeological risks that surface-level facilities in the region would face [2].
Power & Cooling
The facility runs on 100% renewable energy and uses zero water for cooling — relying entirely on free cooling from the mine's constant underground ambient temperatures. This passive approach eliminates the mechanical chillers and evaporative cooling systems that dominate conventional data center designs [1][2].
Board member Roberto Loro has stated the approach delivers 'more than 25% compared to the European average and up to 40%' energy savings versus Mediterranean facilities [2]. The operator has not disclosed a PUE figure.
Capacity figures vary slightly across reporting: Data Center Dynamics reported 6MW at launch, while Data Center Knowledge cited 5MW in earlier coverage [1][2]. The facility is designed to support approximately 1,000 racks [2].
Operator Background
Trentino DataMine is a public-private partnership formed in September 2023 between the University of Trento and local businesses. The venture was purpose-built to develop the Intacture facility, combining academic research capabilities with commercial colocation services [1][2].
University of Trento rector Flavio Deflorian has acknowledged the unconventional structure, noting that 'the very process of launching this initiative through a public-private partnership is in itself a challenge' for academic institutions [2].
The project received significant public backing through Italy's PNRR, the country's allocation from the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund. More than €18 million of the €50 million total came from this source [1].
Underground Data Center Trend
Intacture is not the first underground data center in Europe, but it is the first built inside an active mine. Previous underground facilities include converted nuclear bunkers and decommissioned military installations in Scandinavia and elsewhere.
Belgian IT services provider Cegeka is planning a similar project — a data center inside a mine — signaling growing interest in the underground model for its security and cooling advantages [1].
The approach addresses two persistent challenges in European data center development: land scarcity in dense markets and water consumption restrictions that have constrained builds in the Netherlands, Ireland, and parts of Germany. By moving underground, operators can bypass surface-level zoning constraints while eliminating water-based cooling entirely.
Permitting & Timeline
Construction began in October 2024 according to Data Center Knowledge, placing the design-to-delivery timeline at approximately 20 months — fast by European standards where permitting alone can take 12-18 months in major markets [2].
The Italian government's endorsement of the project, with Minister Adolfo Urso attending the launch, signals Rome's interest in positioning the country as a data center destination. Italy has lagged behind Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Nordics in European data center capacity but has seen growing developer interest in recent years [1].
Further sources
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