Tech Show Frankfurt 2026: Growth Despite Increasing Challenges

Our Head of Berlin Office Mr. Wilberg and architect Andrii Buff visited Tech Show Frankfurt 2026 and share their impressions as well as the key developments highlighted during the exhibition:

Tech Show Frankfurt 2026 was once again well attended, confirming its importance as a key platform for the data center industry. Numerous well-known developers, general contractors, and manufacturers from a wide range of sectors were represented. International participants included especially suppliers from China as well as data center specialists from France and the Netherlands. The GDA was also present again with its own stand.

The overall market sentiment could best be described as cautiously optimistic. The data center market continues to grow, with most developments concentrated in the Frankfurt am Main and Berlin regions. At the same time, more and more general contractors without extensive data center experience are entering the market and delivering their first projects. On the planning side, established companies with proven expertise continue to handle the majority of projects.

Capacity bottlenecks and the shortage of skilled professionals remain clearly noticeable — particularly in MEP planning, but also in structural engineering. In addition, the industry continues to face challenges related to power supply security, rising land and energy costs, and the limited availability of suitable sites in established metropolitan areas.

Alternative energy concepts are becoming an increasingly important topic. Some developers are currently planning data centers with their own power generation systems, for example gas-based solutions, in order to reduce dependence on the public power grid.

Further obstacles to growth mentioned during the exhibition included slow approval processes, high regulatory requirements, financing difficulties, and rising electricity prices. At the same time, supply shortages for critical data center equipment such as transformers, UPS systems, and backup power generators are becoming more severe. This is largely driven by strong demand from the US market and ongoing production delays among manufacturers.

Another noticeable aspect was the limited presence of US investors and the absence of exhibitors from the UK and Ireland. Nevertheless, representatives from these regions were present among the visitors. One frequently discussed topic was the Schwarz Digits data center project in Lübbenau, despite the company not having its own stand at the exhibition.

Overall, Tech Show Frankfurt 2026 clearly demonstrated that while the market remains dynamic and continues to grow, it is increasingly facing pressure from infrastructure limitations and workforce shortages.