The data center industry is evolving rapidly—driven not only by the global expansion of digital infrastructure but also by new regulatory requirements and binding sustainability goals. At the Datacenter Experience, it became clear that retrofitting is a promising addition to the growth strategy for both operators and suppliers.
On June 18, 2026, Schlegel und Partner participated in the Datacenter Experience in Ludwigsburg, where the key topic this time was retrofit.
When planning, operating, and modernizing existing data centers, maintaining a reasonable balance between Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and costs remains a central decision criterion. This makes the revision of the German Energy Efficiency Act all the more important, as it is expected to move away from its unusually stringent requirements and align more closely with European regulations than previously envisaged. On the cost side, suppliers of regularly replaced spare parts are increasingly advocating for higher-quality products that have a positive impact on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
In addition, key arguments in favor of retrofitting data centers compared to new builds were presented. In particular, shorter project timelines due to existing building permits and grid connections highlight the significant importance of retrofit, especially in the German and European markets.
With our many years of experience across various industries and our in-depth market expertise in data centers, retrofit, energy efficiency, PUE optimization, and international market development, we support companies in strategically transferring their existing capabilities to meet the requirements of data centers. Schlegel und Partner helps its clients develop tailored solutions that meet both regulatory requirements and the economic expectations of operators.
Are you interested in learning more?
Please do not hesitate to contact us:
Ursula Hosselmann
+49 6201 9915 42
Ursula.Hosselmann@SchlegelundPartner.de
Xinglin Wang
+49 6201 9915 13
Xinglin.Wang@SchlegelundPartner.de
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