Cisco Announces Major Investment with New Data Center and R&D Hub in Krakow, Poland
February 11, 2026
In a significant move to consolidate and expand its European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) operations, Cisco Systems has announced plans to construct a new data center and research facility in Krakow, Poland. The investment underscores the growing strategic importance of Central and Eastern Europe as a hub for digital infrastructure and technological innovation, driven by demand for AI, cloud, and secure networking solutions. The networking giant has signed an agreement with Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology to build a 4-megawatt (MW) data center in the country's second-largest city. Construction is scheduled to commence in July 2026, with operations expected to go live by the end of the summer. Cisco will invest 200 million Polish złoty (approximately $56.5 million) into the project, which will uniquely integrate data center infrastructure with dedicated research and development laboratories. These labs are designed to accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence technologies and sustainable development practices. Jacek Przybylski, Cisco’s senior director for CXC EMEA in Krakow, emphasized the strategic rationale behind the choice of location. "Our new Krakow data center will become a cornerstone for consolidating and scaling Cisco’s EMEA operations, enabling us to deliver next-generation solutions, validate complex architectures, and accelerate innovation for customers and partners worldwide," he stated. Przybylski further highlighted that "the vibrancy of the city’s talent pool is at the heart of this decision," adding, "Our commitment here is an investment in people, supporting the development of world-class expertise in networking, cloud, security, automation, and artificial intelligence." The new facility will significantly expand Cisco's already substantial footprint in Krakow, where it first established a presence in 2012. The city currently hosts the company's global support center and a security operations center, forming its second-largest European office with a workforce of nearly 3,000 employees. Krakow Mayor Aleksander Misalzki welcomed the announcement, stating it demonstrates global recognition of the city's specialist competencies in key tech sectors. Aligning with its sustainability goals, Cisco separately secured a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) with Polish renewable energy firm R.Power to procure 470 gigawatt-hours of solar energy. Evan Scott Brown, a renewable energy and utilities manager at Cisco, noted this agreement "directly supports operational needs, including the expansion of our lab facilities in Krakow." This move is seen as critical for powering the new site's operations while supporting Cisco's broader commitment to renewable energy in Europe. The development signals a continued trend of major technology firms deepening their investments in Poland, attracted by its skilled workforce, strategic location, and supportive regulatory environment. It positions Cisco to better serve regional demand while fostering local R&D, potentially influencing the broader European digital infrastructure landscape.
Source: datacenterdynamics
