Cost comparison
Compare data center CAPEX and OPEX without mixing cost scopes
PowerlandMap editorial team · Reviewed
How can I compare data center costs across countries?
Compare one cost scope and one capacity basis at a time. Separate facility construction, IT hardware and operating costs, then align currency, price date, commissioning phase and inclusions. PowerlandMap provides benchmark context, but a country reference is not a site-specific contractor or electricity offer.
Keep investment categories separate
| Cost scope | Define before comparing | Common source of distortion |
|---|---|---|
| Facility construction | Land, building, electrical and mechanical scope, exclusions | Comparing construction-only with equipped project cost |
| IT hardware | Server or rack specification, quantity and price basis | Treating modelled hardware as a supplier quotation |
| Electricity | Consumption band, period, tax and network-charge basis | Ranking wholesale prices beside delivered tariffs |
| Other operations | Staff, maintenance, insurance, connectivity and other services | Presenting energy-only spend as complete operating cost |
Choose a denominator that matches the scope
For facility CAPEX per IT MW, identify which commissioned IT capacity the estimate serves. A first-phase budget divided by the full future campus capacity produces a misleading unit cost. For an investment announcement, check whether it includes future phases, land, hardware or other assets before treating it as a construction benchmark.
Record currency, observation date, geography, technical requirements, contingency and exclusions. Separate measured observations from modelled or proxy references. If the scope cannot be reconciled, retain the observation as context instead of forcing it into a ranking.
Illustrative electricity calculation
Assume a hypothetical 10 MW IT design, average IT utilisation of 50%, a constant modelling PUE of 1.20 and an assumed electricity rate of EUR 100/MWh. The average electrical draw is 10 × 0.50 × 1.20 = 6 MW. For a 365-day year, energy is 6 × 8,760 = 52,560 MWh, giving EUR 5,256,000 at the assumed rate.
Every number in this example is an illustrative assumption, not a PowerlandMap market observation or supplier quote. The calculation excludes other operating costs and any electricity charges not included in the assumed rate. Real load, PUE and contract terms vary.
If the starting input already represents total electrical draw, do not multiply by PUE again. For phased deployment, model each period's average load rather than assuming full-year peak utilisation.
Use benchmarks to prepare the next question
PowerlandMap's cost tools support review of available source periods, units and scope. Use them to identify which assumptions drive the shortlist, then request site-specific construction and energy evidence for the candidates retained.
A comparable cost view should show the selected reference, why it is applicable, the sensitivity to load and price, and any excluded observation. Link the conclusion to the relevant evidence date so subsequent revisions can be explained.
Common questions
- Is electricity OPEX the same as total operating cost?
- No. Energy-only calculations exclude other operating expenses. The treatment of network charges, levies and taxes also depends on the electricity price basis.
- Can I convert utility MW directly into IT MW?
- Only with an explicit, appropriate conversion assumption and matching scope. Do not present modelled IT capacity as verified IT capacity.
Sources and further reading
Public sources reviewed on 2026-10-09. Live product scope and coverage should be checked on the linked pages.