Free space in Russian data centers is becoming a scarce resource. In the second quarter, a standard 5 kW rack in Moscow cost an average of 170.8 thousand rubles – 15.7% more expensive than a year ago. In St. Petersburg, the price jumped by 31.3% to 138 thousand rubles.
The problem is not only growing demand. New data centers require expensive investments, and in Moscow, it has become more difficult to obtain a site and capacity for connection to power grids. Previously agreed-upon facilities will still be completed, but the market will not be able to quickly close the deficit with new data centers.
Neural networks and other heavy computing create additional pressure. A typical server rack consumes 5–8 kW, while GPU equipment requires 15–20 kW. After re-equipping, a hall designed for 200 standard spaces can only accommodate 50–70 powerful racks.
Adding to the deficit are increased electricity prices, new security requirements, insurance, and more complicated equipment delivery. Data centers include these costs in their tariffs, and server tenants include them in the cost of their services, so the increase may eventually reach end-customers.
Market participants believe that prices will continue to rise at least until 2027–2028. Against this backdrop, companies are increasingly moving to the cloud and renting ready-made servers to avoid overpaying for their own rack in an overcrowded data center.