Dominic Jainy is a leading authority in the global digital infrastructure landscape, specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence and large-scale data center development. With a professional background rooted in machine learning and blockchain, he has spent years analyzing how emerging technologies reshape regional economies. His insights are particularly vital as he examines the strategic expansion of international giants into burgeoning markets like Turkey, where the demand for cloud and AI capabilities is reaching a fever pitch.
What specific factors led to the selection of Ankara for a 22MW data center debut, and how does the secured land and power infrastructure there compare to the logistical requirements of your future plans in Istanbul?
Ankara serves as the administrative heart of the country, making it a strategic anchor for government-related cloud services and secure enterprise data storage. While Istanbul remains the primary commercial hub with the lion’s share of the 81 existing data centers in the country, Ankara offers a unique combination of land availability and power stability that is harder to secure in the densely packed Istanbul corridor. By locking in the necessary permits and power for a 22MW campus now, we have established a footprint that avoids the typical logistical bottlenecks associated with secondary market entries. This Ankara facility acts as a high-capacity blueprint that will allow us to streamline our approach when we eventually tackle the even more complex infrastructure requirements of the Istanbul market.
How will this joint venture integrate Rönesans Infrastructure’s local development expertise with global operational standards to support the surging demand for AI and cloud services, and what specific milestones must be met before the 2028 completion?
The collaboration relies on the deep historical roots of Rönesans Holding, a company that has been a pillar of Turkish contracting since 1993. By blending their local construction prowess with Digital Realty’s global operational framework, we are creating a hybrid model that ensures rapid scaling for high-density AI workloads. Between now and the scheduled 2028 completion, we must hit critical milestones including the finalization of redundant power substations and the deployment of advanced cooling systems designed for next-generation hardware. We are moving from the early construction phase into the structural build-out, ensuring every step meets international uptime standards while respecting local environmental regulations.
Given that the Turkish market is currently dominated by local players with few international entrants like Equinix or Damac, what unique value propositions will this new facility offer to enterprises, and how will it influence the competitive landscape in secondary markets like Izmir?
Most of the 81 facilities spread across 17 Turkish markets are operated by local firms that lack the global reach required by multinational corporations. Our joint venture offers a gateway to a global platform, allowing businesses to connect their Turkish operations seamlessly with their data footprints in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. While companies like Equinix are active in Istanbul and Damac has made moves in Izmir, our 22MW Ankara project introduces a level of scale and carrier-neutrality that hasn’t been seen in the capital before. This influx of international capital and standards will likely force a modernization of the entire competitive landscape, pushing local operators in Izmir and beyond to upgrade their resiliency and efficiency.
What were the primary challenges in securing permits for a project of this scale, and can you walk us through the step-by-step technical preparations required to transition from early construction work to a fully operational campus?
Securing permits for a 22MW facility involves navigating complex zoning laws and ensuring that the local grid can support such a massive, constant load without flickering. The transition from breaking ground to going live involves a meticulous sequence of technical layering, starting with the installation of high-capacity fiber entry points and robust physical security perimeters. We are currently finishing the early earthworks and moving into the mechanical and electrical fit-out phase, which requires sourcing specialized equipment that can handle the thermal demands of AI processing. Each stage is validated through rigorous testing to ensure that when the doors open, the facility can provide the 24/7 reliability that global enterprises demand.
How does the development of large-scale digital infrastructure contribute to a country’s status as a regional technology hub, and what specific economic metrics or community benefits do you expect to see as a result of this $10 billion investment legacy?
Large-scale digital infrastructure serves as the physical backbone for a modern economy, allowing a nation to transition from a consumer of technology to a regional provider of digital services. Rönesans has already delivered over $10 billion in private sector investment across various industries, and this project extends that legacy into the digital realm by fostering a high-tech ecosystem. We expect to see a rise in high-paying technical jobs and a significant boost to the local supply chain as businesses migrate their operations to our campus. This investment creates a sustainable value proposition for future generations, ensuring that the local workforce is at the forefront of the global AI and cloud revolution.
What is your forecast for the Turkish data center market?
The Turkish market is on the verge of a massive transformation as it consolidates its 17 localized markets into a more unified and powerful regional hub. With the completion of major projects by 2028, I expect a surge in international tenants who have previously been hesitant to enter the market due to a lack of high-capacity, standardized facilities. We will likely see a shift where Ankara and Izmir begin to rival Istanbul in terms of technological sophistication, driven by the need for geographic redundancy and lower latency. Ultimately, Turkey will solidify its position as a critical digital bridge between East and West, attracting further billions in investment as the global demand for AI-ready infrastructure continues to skyrocket.