Digital Realty, the world's largest cloud- and carrier-neutral data center platform, and Rönesans Infrastructure have entered a strategic partnership to develop and operate next-generation data centers in Türkiye.
Construction has begun on the first phase of a new data center campus being developed by the partnership in Temelli, Ankara. The first phase is planned to deliver more than 22 MW of IT capacity and over 10,000 square meters of white space, with operations expected to begin in 2028. Following Ankara, the partnership also plans a second campus in Istanbul.
Over the long term, the partnership is expected to reach 200 MW of capacity, representing an investment potential of up to USD 3 billion in Türkiye.
The new investment is intended to help meet Türkiye's rapidly growing demand for capacity in artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, data storage, and connectivity infrastructure. It is also expected to strengthen the country's position as a regional digital hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Bringing The World to Invest in Türkiye
The partnership with Digital Realty is the latest example of the international investment model Rönesans has been developing for more than three decades.Through partnerships with leading global companies and investors, Rönesans has channelled international expertise and capital into large-scale, long-term investments in Türkiye. These include six city hospitals developed with Meridiam, Sojitz, and Samsung, a renewable energy platform developed with TotalEnergies that has reached 577 MW of capacity, and the ongoing Polypropylene Production Plant and Liquid Bulk Terminal Project in Ceyhan with Sonatrach and Stolt-Nielsen.
Rönesans combines its capabilities in project development, financing, engineering, and operations with international corporate governance practices and high environmental and social standards. Through its partnership with Digital Realty, this model is now being extended to the country's digital infrastructure for the first time.
Commenting on the partnership with Digital Realty, Dr. Erman Ilıcak, President Emeritus of Rönesans Holding, said:
"I have always believed in Türkiye's potential. Our strategic location, highly skilled workforce, entrepreneurial strength, and regional influence make Türkiye a highly attractive market for global investors. Leading companies such as Digital Realty choosing to invest here is a strong testament to the country's long-term potential.
Our role at Rönesans is to connect Türkiye's potential with long-term global capital, technology, and expertise. Achieving this requires strong corporate governance, high environmental and social standards, financial discipline, and the international business practices that global investors expect.
Trust and stability are among the most valuable assets Rönesans has built over more than 30 years. We have channelled the experience, capital, and relationships we built by competing successfully in international markets into investment in Türkiye. To date, we have delivered approximately USD 13 billion in private sector investment in the country, with around 85% of our financing sourced from international markets.
We have established strong relationships with leading international companies including GIC, TotalEnergies, Meridiam, Samsung, Sojitz, Sonatrach, and Stolt-Nielsen, as well as major international financial institutions such as IFC, EBRD, and DEG. I see this new step with Digital Realty as both a reflection of confidence in Türkiye and a continuation of the global partnership model we have cultivated over many years.
Data centers have become one of the key pieces of infrastructure that determine a country's competitiveness. By combining Digital Realty's global expertise with Rönesans' strengths in investment, financing, and execution, we are making a long-term investment in Türkiye's digital future. The trust we have built in international markets over the past 30 years is now being channelled into capital, expertise, and long-term investment for Türkiye."
Commenting on the partnership with Rönesans, Greg Wright, Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty, said:
"We are delighted to partner with Rönesans Infrastructure to establish Digital Realty's presence in Türkiye, one of the most compelling emerging digital infrastructure markets in the region. By combining Rönesans' deep expertise and development capabilities with Digital Realty's global platform, customer relationships, and operational experience, this joint venture is well positioned to support growing demand for cloud, AI, and enterprise infrastructure while creating a strong foundation for long-term growth across Türkiye."
New Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Technologies
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and data-intensive applications has made data centers a critical component of economic and technological competitiveness.Türkiye's population of approximately 86 million, its strategic position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, growing data consumption, and rapidly expanding digital economy create substantial opportunities for data center investment.
Digital Realty operates more than 300 data centers across over 50 metropolitan areas in 30-plus countries on six continents, making it one of the world's largest digital infrastructure platforms.
Through the new partnership, Digital Realty's global data center platform will be introduced to Türkiye, creating new capacity for a customer ecosystem that includes global cloud providers, technology companies, telecommunications operators, and multinational enterprises.
First Investment in Ankara, Istanbul Next
The partnership's first data center campus will be developed in Ankara. The initial phase is planned to provide more than 22 MW of IT capacity and approximately 10,000 square meters of carrier-neutral colocation space, with operations targeted for 2028.From there, the partnership is expected to continue its investment with a second data center campus in Istanbul.
The infrastructure being built in Ankara and Istanbul is intended to create a highly connected, large-scale digital platform serving businesses and public institutions in Türkiye, as well as international cloud providers, technology companies, and digital service providers.
Investment Potential of Up to USD 3 Billion
Over the long term, the partnership aims for a combined 200 MW of IT capacity across Ankara and Istanbul, an investment potential of up to USD 3 billion.The planned capacity is expected to account for approximately 20% of Türkiye's 1 GW capacity target for 2030 under the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Action Plan.
Beyond meeting demand from artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data-intensive applications, the investment is expected to reinforce Türkiye's role as a bridge for data flows across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
USD 13 Billion of Investment in Türkiye Through Global Partnerships
Today, Rönesans' investments in Türkiye span a wide range of sectors, including social infrastructure, energy infrastructure, transportation, real estate, and industrial facilities.Together with its partners, Rönesans has delivered approximately USD 13 billion in private sector investment in Türkiye, contributing around USD 2.5 billion in foreign direct investment and USD 7.5 billion in international financing.
Turning international capital and project financing into long-term investment does more than provide funding: it also transfers technology, expertise, operational know-how, and international standards to Türkiye.
Rönesans' global partnership model combines the capital and expertise of leading international investors and corporations with its own capabilities in project development, financing, engineering, construction, and operations in Türkiye.