The year 2024 marked an important chapter in LCL’s sustainability story. Looking ahead to 2025, I am sure we can maintain the same momentum and even accelerate our efforts. This will be necessary, as we are on the brink of significant changes in our sector. I firmly believe that our people, infrastructure and vision are well equipped to take on these challenges with confidence and determination.
Over the past decade, LCL has almost continuously been in ‘build mode’ and the coming year will be no exception. In Diegem, we are finalising our expansion with a state-of-the-art modular building, designed to be AI-ready and tailored to meet the demands of our new customers. Similarly, in Gembloux, we are preparing a capacity increase that fully aligns with the needs of our expanding customer base. These strategic initiatives ensure that we are future-proof as a company and strengthen our position as the market leader in data centers in Belgium.
At the same time, we continue to invest in our existing infrastructure. At LCL Brussels-West, we are renewing our cooling systems. This project will take up to two years to complete and has received subsidies from the Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship agency (VLAIO). This funding is a meaningful form of recognition for our commitment to innovation and sustainability. The impact of such a green transformation is significant. It requires an extraordinary level of precision to dismantle an existing cooling system and rebuild it without interrupting operations. Once the construction in LCL Brussels-West is finished, our cooling systems in LCL Brussels-North will be next.
It is no surprise that sustainability will remain our core strategy. Our ambition this year is to locally generate 10.3 MW of green energy through various initiatives. To put that abstract figure into perspective: 10.3 MW is enough to provide power to approximately 7,000 households. This gives us yet another push towards achieving our goal of sourcing 40% of our energy from self-generated renewable resources. Which is not just a sidenote: additionality is key. At LCL, we ensure that our use of green energy genuinely contributes to expanding the overall supply.
In addition to the previously mentioned initiatives to generate green energy, we are covering the roofs and facades of our data centers at LCL Brussels-North and LCL Brussels-West with solar panels, together accounting for a total capacity of 830 kWp. We are also making our fire-fighting systems more environmentally friendly. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed: the awards and recognitions of 2024 inspire us to continue leading the way this year.
In the telecom sector, we see that newcomer DIGI Belgium is set to significantly transform the playing field. DIGI Belgium is building a completely new 5G network in Belgium, which will have a major impact on the pricing of mobile data and connectivity. This network, independent of existing infrastructures, creates opportunities for renewed collaborations and puts pressure on traditional players to operate more efficiently and innovatively. The arrival of DIGI Belgium also signals a broader shift in the telecom market. New fibre-optic networks are expanding, enhancing both the accessibility and speed of connectivity for businesses and consumers. This evolving dynamic presents challenges but also creates opportunities for data centers to position themselves as critical hubs within an increasingly intricate digital network.
The year 2025 will be a pivotal one for AI applications. The next generation of chips, such as Nvidia’s H200 and Blackwell, will further accelerate artificial intelligence and require infrastructures that are more compact, powerful, and efficient. Our facilities (and more importantly, our people) are prepared for this technological shift, where high-performance chips and cutting-edge innovations like liquid cooling will take centre stage. AI is not just a challenge for infrastructure but also a measure of our capacity for innovation. The key question is clear: how can we combine technological growth with sustainability? At LCL, this is precisely our strength. We are positioning ourselves as a vital link in this evolving ecosystem, with connections exemplified by access to Microsoft Azure in Belgium. Our data centers are the gateways to the cloud for the businesses of tomorrow.
One of the most pressing questions Europe will face in 2025 is how to respond to the rise of AI. Its societal impact will undoubtedly be immense. While the United States and China are making large-scale investments in artificial intelligence, Europe must decide: will we embrace AI as a strategic pillar of our economy?
The European Union has already taken steps in this direction with initiatives such as the Digital Services Act and the AI Act, aiming for greater regulation and standardisation. However, alongside regulatory frameworks, it is vital to invest sufficiently in the development and adoption of AI technologies. This requires strategic collaboration between governments, universities and businesses.
At LCL, we are expanding our horizons more than ever. To attract international customers, we leverage our unique strengths: a strategic location in the heart of Europe combined with robust connectivity. For sectors and companies that demand cutting-edge data center solutions, LCL is the perfect partner. Our team is ready to welcome these clients with a personalised service and flexible solutions, always going the extra mile.
The world is constantly evolving, and so is LCL. Our ambitions for the coming year are even bolder than those of 2024. Our team spirit and shared commitment to success give me the confidence that our plans will not remain unrealised dreams. Our employees are the driving force behind our growth. Their expertise, dedication and drive ensure that we not only articulate ambitions but also turn them into reality. Customer intimacy remains our guiding principle. It is inspiring to see that we not only keep our customers satisfied but continually find ways to exceed their expectations. The increase in our Net Promoter Score reflects that our customers value these efforts.
I am confident that together we will make 2025 a year to be proud of — a year where we once again make the difference.
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