Croatia to host USD 58,5 billion AI mega-campus backed by 8 GWh battery storage

Transatlantic investment group Pantheon Atlas has announced plans for a EUR 50 billion (USD 58,5 billion) hyperscale AI data center campus in central Croatia. The development will combine 500 MW of behind-the-meter solar generation with a 2000 MW/8000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), creating one of the largest integrated digital infrastructure projects in Europe.

The company’s flagship initiative, known as Pantheon AI, is being positioned as a transformative computing hub for Croatia. Pantheon Atlas said the infrastructure is “as designed in accordance with NVIDIA GW-Scale AI factory standards” and will be developed in Topusko, approximately 45 minutes south of Zagreb. The campus will initially occupy a 310-acre site, with the potential to expand to 450 acres. According to the company, the project represents the largest investment in Croatia’s history and ranks among the largest private U.S. investments in Europe.

Alongside the 500 MW solar facility and 2000 MW/8000 MWh battery system, the project includes plans for four independent 400-kV transmission lines. These connections are intended to support up to 5,2 GW of new renewable energy capacity on Croatia’s national grid. Connectivity infrastructure will also feature four independent fiber-optic routes spanning three European Union corridors, while the GreenMed subsea cable is expected to provide a direct connection to Milan by 2028.

Portugal-based Greenvolt International Power has signed a letter of intent to develop the solar-plus-storage component of the project.

Construction of the first phase, valued at EUR 12 billion, is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with operations expected to commence by the first quarter of 2029. Croatian engineering and energy company Koncar Group will support substation development, while Dalekovod Projekt will oversee transmission design and Ravel Ltd. will lead substation design. Advisory support will be provided by Eastdil Secured, Parsec Lab, Latham & Watkins, Hodgson Russ, PwC, and KPMG.

Photo: Pantheon AI