Digital Realty, the world’s leading provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center solutions, has officially launched its first data center on the Greek island of Crete. The new facility, HER1, located near Heraklion, marks a strategic expansion aimed at reinforcing the Mediterranean’s position as a global digital crossroads.
HER1 is the first carrier-neutral data center on Crete, making Digital Realty the only global provider with infrastructure on the island. The facility is uniquely positioned to connect Europe with Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa via a dense network of subsea cables, transforming Crete into a key interconnection node in the region.
“With HER1, we reaffirm our commitment to establishing the Mediterranean as a premier digital hub,” said Fabrice Coquio, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Digital Realty in France. “By delivering enhanced connectivity and robust infrastructure, we are meeting the growing needs of businesses and digital providers in this rapidly evolving region.”
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Transforming the Mediterranean into a Digital Superhighway
The launch of HER1 comes as southern Europe experiences a six-fold increase in international bandwidth capacity since 2016, with annual growth averaging over 30%. Digital Realty’s latest investment adds to its expanding footprint in the region, complementing its established facilities in Marseille, and upcoming centers in Barcelona and Rome.
HER1 is also a key addition to PlatformDIGITAL®, Digital Realty’s global data center platform that supports enterprises and hyperscalers in deploying scalable, interconnected digital infrastructure. The new data center is expected to enable both multinational and local organizations to accelerate their digital transformation efforts by leveraging world-class connectivity and data solutions.
Expanding Presence in Greece
The HER1 launch also reinforces Digital Realty’s growing presence in Greece. The company already operates three data centers in Athens, with a fourth facility set to open in 2025 and a fifth currently in development. The Athens campus hosts more than 30 connectivity providers, addressing surging demand from hyperscalers and enterprises for compute power and interconnection.
This expansion underscores Digital Realty’s commitment to enabling global and regional digital ecosystems. With HER1, the company not only strengthens its infrastructure portfolio but also plays a pivotal role in powering the Mediterranean’s digital future.
