Diana Ettner, partner at Morais Leitão, in comments to Jornal de Negócios in the context of an article on the growth of investment in data centres and the legal challenges associated with these projects, considers that Portugal is consolidating its position as an increasingly attractive destination for this type of technological infrastructure.
Portugal gaining relevance in data centre investment
According to Diana Ettner, several structural factors explain the growing interest of international investors in this type of technological infrastructure. As she notes, “the potential in renewable energy is particularly important, given that these projects require sustainable, large-scale energy solutions, an area in which Portugal holds a prominent position.”
The lawyer also stresses that this factor is complemented by other competitive advantages of the country. “The capacity for technological innovation is based on a strong information technology sector and highly qualified human capital,” adding that Portugal’s attractiveness also stems from “favourable climatic conditions and the country’s political and institutional stability.”
Data centre projects require multidisciplinary legal advice
In Diana Ettner’s view, the growth of this sector is also transforming the way projects are structured from a legal perspective. As she explains, “these projects involve a cross-cutting set of areas of law, such as planning, environment, energy, real estate, tax, data protection and technology.”
This complexity reinforces the need for integrated legal approaches. In this regard, she notes that “law firms are particularly well placed to respond to this challenge, increasingly structuring their work in order to address, in an integrated way, the legal and regulatory requirements of this type of project.”
Regulatory stability is essential to attract investment
Despite the identified potential, Diana Ettner highlights the importance of continuing to improve the regulatory framework in order to ensure Portugal’s competitiveness in this strategic sector. As she states, “regulation in environmental, planning and energy matters has been moving towards simplification, both in terms of licensing procedures and the parameters governing economic activities, which should be consolidated and further developed.”
To strengthen investor confidence, she considers it essential to ensure regulatory predictability. “It is essential to systematically identify barriers to investment and to build a regulatory framework that is effectively perceived by investors, both domestic and international, as stable, predictable and favourable to their activity in the country.”
The partner further adds that, in the specific context of this type of technological infrastructure, “with regard to data centres, this approach is particularly relevant given the technical and financial requirements of such projects,” noting that it is equally important “to ensure not only appropriate decision timelines in licensing procedures, but also stability in the substantive requirements that apply.”
Read the full article on data centre investments in Portugal in Jornal de Negócios.
