CPP Investments and Goodman Unveil A$14 Billion European Data Centre Venture
CPP Investments and Goodman Group have launched a A$14 billion partnership to develop data centres across key European markets, marking CPP’s first foray into European digital infrastructure.
- A$14 billion partnership between CPP Investments and Goodman Group
- Initial capital commitment of A$3.9 billion for data centres in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris
- Portfolio includes four projects with 435 MW primary power capacity
- Construction expected to start by June 2026, completion by March 2026
- Partnership leverages Goodman’s development expertise and CPP’s global investment strategy
A Strategic Alliance in European Data Centres
In a significant move within the digital infrastructure sector, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Goodman Group have announced the formation of a A$14 billion (€8 billion) partnership focused on developing data centres across Europe. This marks CPP Investments’ inaugural data centre venture on the continent, underscoring the growing importance of digital infrastructure in global investment portfolios.
The Goodman European Data Centre Development Partnership (GEDCDP) will initially deploy A$3.9 billion (€2.2 billion) to develop four key projects located in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris; three of Europe’s most critical data centre hubs. These projects collectively offer 435 megawatts of primary power capacity and 282 megawatts of IT load, positioning the partnership to meet escalating demand driven by cloud computing and artificial intelligence adoption.
Leveraging Strengths for Growth
CPP Investments brings its global expertise in digital infrastructure investment, while Goodman contributes its extensive development capabilities and powered landbank in Tier 1 European markets. This collaboration aims to accelerate delivery timelines, with construction slated to commence by June 2026 and phased settlement expected to complete by March 2026, subject to closing conditions.
Max Biagosch, Senior Managing Director at CPP Investments, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership, highlighting the alignment with CPP’s global data centre strategy and the opportunity to capitalize on long-term growth prospects. Goodman’s CEO, Greg Goodman, echoed this sentiment, noting the rarity and quality of the portfolio in Europe’s FLAP markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris) and the critical role these powered locations play in supporting the digital economy.
A Continuation of a Longstanding Relationship
The partnership builds on a well-established relationship between CPP Investments and Goodman Group, which dates back to 2009 and spans multiple regions including Australia, Asia, and the Americas. The GEDCDP follows other successful data centre partnerships in Hong Kong, Europe, and Japan, reinforcing Goodman’s position as a leading specialist investment manager in industrial and digital infrastructure globally.
As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, the demand for scalable, reliable data centre infrastructure continues to surge. This partnership not only reflects the strategic importance of such assets but also signals confidence in the resilience and growth potential of the European data centre market.
Bottom Line?
This partnership sets the stage for a new chapter in European digital infrastructure investment, with market watchers keenly observing execution and delivery milestones.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the phased settlement and closing conditions impact project timelines?
- What are the expected returns and risk profiles for investors in this partnership?
- Could this partnership pave the way for further expansion into other European or global markets?
