Energy Vault Holdings (NRGV) said on Wednesday that its planned artificial-intelligence data center in Sardinia has been designated a project of pre-eminent national strategic interest by the Italian government.
The Digital Vault Sulcis project, at the former Carbosulcis coal mining complex in Nuraxi Figus, will initially include an AI data center with about 30 megawatts of capacity, integrated with renewable power generation and energy storage.
Energy Vault said that the wider campus is planned to expand in phases to about 50-60 MW of IT capacity and up to 100 MW of total site power capacity.
The designation by Italy's Council of Ministers allows for a more coordinated process for the remaining administrative and authorization requirements.
Energy Vault said that a special government commissioner is expected to be appointed to coordinate the process with regional authorities and support the project toward a required single authorization.
The company plans to begin construction in 2028, with commercial operations expected by 2030, subject to final approvals and other development milestones.
The project is part of a broader push by Italy to strengthen digital infrastructure and develop domestic AI capacity, while attracting investment in data centers and advanced technologies.
Energy Vault said Digital Vault Sulcis marks an expansion of its "build, own and operate" model into AI infrastructure. The company plans to combine land, power, energy storage, digital infrastructure and long-term asset ownership at the Sardinian site.
Energy Vault said the Sardinia campus is intended to become its flagship AI infrastructure project in Europe and contribute to the industrial redevelopment of the Sulcis region.
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