Power Constraints Begin To Influence Workplace Strategy And Building Performance Across EMEA

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• Power Constraints Begin To Influence Workplace Strategy And Building Performance Across EMEA

07 July 2026

New research from Colliers shows energy risk is moving up the agenda for occupiers, building managers and workplace leaders. Access to reliable and affordable power is becoming a more decisive factor in location decisions, asset planning and operational continuity.

While energy availability has traditionally been viewed as a technical constraint, the research finds it is increasingly shaping broader strategic decisions around where organisations locate, how buildings perform and how portfolios evolve.

The report, “Building Resilience: 5 Megatrends Redefining Corporate Real Estate”, identifies energy scarcity and security as one of five global megatrends reshaping occupier decision-making. Ageing infrastructure, rising demand and the complexity of the energy transition are tightening supply in some markets, introducing new constraints on development and occupation.

What was once an operational issue is now a strategic priority. Energy availability, reliability and policy exposure are influencing operating costs, service delivery and the long-term viability of certain locations.

Data centres highlight these pressures, with rapid growth in electricity demand intensifying competition for grid capacity and reinforcing the need for early planning and engagement.

In practice, growing pressure on grids is increasing the importance of early, coordinated engagement with utilities, regulators and local authorities, alongside a clearer understanding of infrastructure capacity and policy requirements.

Importantly, many organisations are not yet fully leveraging solutions already within reach. Retrofitting to improve building efficiency and exploring local renewable energy options, such as solar-powered microgrids, remain underused despite their potential to improve resilience and reduce exposure.

Rising demand linked to the energy transition is also likely to influence construction costs, building design and workplace planning decisions.

For occupiers and building leaders, the priorities are clear: understand energy risk across portfolios, plan for supply and policy changes, and treat energy investment as critical to maintaining operational resilience, performance and business continuity.

Lottie Tollman, Head of Data Centre Advisory, EMEA at Colliers said: “Energy availability is fast becoming one of the most decisive factors in data centre strategy across EMEA. Power constraints are no longer a future concern - they are shaping site selection, delivery timelines and expansion plans today. Projects that fail to factor energy resilience into early planning risk being delayed, displaced or no longer viable as competition for capacity intensifies.”

Picture: An image of the Colliers report name on a digital display board which is on the front of a corporate office in a large city.

Article written by Dave Mapps | Published 07 July 2026

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