SPIE is setting up a department dedicated to data centre performance in France

Two appointments to further this strategic work  

A key market that sits at the heart of the digital and energy transitions

France currently ranks as the third largest data storage hub in Europe, but the country has its sights set on the top spot and is attracting tech players and large-scale investment with the aim of reaching it in the coming years¹. Île-de-France, which is currently the fourth largest data storage hub in Europe, represents a key region for this development. As the data centre market is growing at an unprecedented rate, with storage capacity in France expected to triple between 2024 and 2030, SPIE Building Solutions is setting up a department dedicated to the energy performance of this infrastructure, an area in which it has long-standing expertise.

Drawing on a wealth of proven data centre design experience, whether gained as an independent contractor, in technical consortia, as part of a joint venture or as a lead company, SPIE Building Solutions is now able to provide a comprehensive data centre offering, from design through to renovation, whether intended for hosting providers or end customers. This new department is adopting an industrial approach that is adapted to the specific requirements of the market, in terms of both operating modes and site logistics. Specifically, it brings together the following areas of expertise:

• The design and installation of technical solutions in the areas of energy supply and cabling (high and low voltage, copper and optical fibre), heat recovery and air conditioning infrastructure for energy-efficient data centres;
• The installation of fire safety and security (access control and video protection) systems that comply with the most stringent cybersecurity standards in order to guarantee data centre integrity;
• Tackling the energy and climate performance challenges associated with data centres with solutions such as free cooling (using outside air to cool down rooms) that work in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment, in particular to optimise the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) indicator.

Two appointments to drive this ambition

With effect from 1 January 2026, Florian Clément has been appointed Head of the Data Centre department at SPIE Building Solutions. This new department forms part of the Île-de-France business unit. Florian Clément has a great deal of experience, in particular, he has managed the major data centre projects for the Île-de-France business unit and is currently overseeing several projects.

With effect from 1 January 2026, Eric Pieterarens has been appointed Data Centre Development Director at SPIE Building Solutions. He remains a member of the Executive Committee of SPIE Building Solutions, which is chaired by François Galmiche, Managing Director of SPIE Building Solutions. With more than 30 years of experience as a manager and climate engineering expert, Eric Pieterarens has overseen a varied portfolio of complex operations within SPIE Building Solutions. Formerly employed as Île-de-France Business Director, he will apply his proven expertise to structuring and accelerating the development of the data centre offering.

A strategy designed with future challenges in mind

SPIE Building Solutions is thus positioning itself as a leading player in supporting contractors to operate data centres that are increasingly efficient, adaptable, secure, resilient and reliable. This approach reflects a strong trend: data centres are increasingly being integrated into the surrounding ecosystem and their impact on climate change is being mitigated.

"The data centre market is experiencing unprecedented growth; we must seize this opportunity with ambition. My mission will be to structure, develop and promote SPIE Building Solutions' data centre offering, while ensuring optimal coordination between our business units. This is an exciting challenge that is fully aligned with SPIE France's strategy to respond to the challenges associated with the digital, energy and industrial transitions," explains Eric Pieterarens, Data Centre Development Director at SPIE Building Solutions.

"This department is testament to the maturity of our teams and to our ability to meet expectations in an ever-changing market. Our priority is to provide our customers with concrete, sustainable solutions, from design through to use. We rely on proven technical expertise and committed teams that are ready to face this challenge together," adds Florian Clément, Head of the Data Centre department at SPIE Building Solutions.

_{1-France datacenter: Étude d’impact et Baromètre du datacenter EY [EY Data Centre Impact Study and Barometer] – France Datacenter – 2025 edition.}