Finance

The ‘Finance’ stage determines a data centre project’s feasibility, stability and sustainability. It requires a strategic approach balancing financial structuring, regulatory compliance and risk management.

Illustration representing the finance phase of the data centre lifecycle, showing capital planning, funding structures, risk management, advisory and regulatory alignment.

Typical objectives

1

Cash flows & quality counterparties

Prioritise cash flow predictability, credible construction and power plans, and the strength and reliability of counterparties.

2

Appropriate capital structure

Select project finance, private credit, equity or hybrids based on risk allocation, capex phasing and offtake strength, across equity, debt and capital markets.

3

Dispute management and legal challenges

Anticipate and manage disputes and legal challenges early to avoid costly delays, disruptions, and value erosion.

4

Tax, capital allowances & cross‑border flows

Integrate tax treatment, capital allowances and cross‑border flows into models early to minimise disruption and support bankability.

5

Structuring, compliance & risk management

Adopt a strategic financing approach that balances financial structuring, regulatory compliance and robust risk management.

6

Regulations & market trends

Maintain current insight into evolving regulations and market trends to navigate challenges and secure funding.

An ipad amongst papers on a table showing financial and economic trends

Bankability depends on clear economics, aligned risk and credible delivery assumptions, backed by strong counterparties.

Key regulations

The regulations outlined set the compliance framework for financing data centre projects. While no sector‑specific regime exists, state aid or PPP rules may apply.

Last updated 31 October 2025

These may be subject to change.

European Union

The Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (EU) 2024/1624
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464
EU Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852

National level

Anti money laundering laws
e.g. UK: Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
Banking regulatory laws
e.g. UK: Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
Anti bribery and anti corruption laws
e.g. UK: Bribery Act 2010
Sanctions laws
e.g. UK: Sanctions and Anti Money Laundering Act 2018

How we can help

We provide specialist guidance across the ‘Finance’ phase to secure funding, maintain compliance and structure your project effectively:

Project and structured finance

Banking agreements structuring and negotiation

Regulatory compliance and standards

Corporate structuring and governance

Tax analysis and planning

Dispute prevention and management

Advice on sustainable financing

our Experience
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy on its on its £200m investment in data centre business Deep Green.

Our experts

Our team of specialists can guide you through every aspect of the ‘Finance’ phase.

Headshot of Dominic O'Brien, Partner and Head of Project Finance, Osborne Clarke UK
Dominic OBrien
Partner, Head of Project Finance
Osborne Clarke UK
A headshot of Hannah Roscoe, Partner at Osborne Clarke UK.
Hannah Roscoe
Partner
Osborne Clarke UK
Headshot of Olexiy Oleshchuk, Partner at Osborne Clarke Germany
Olexiy Oleshchuk
Partner
Osborne Clarke Germany