Power capacity emerges as a key factor in Europe’s logistics real estate market, Savills finds

According to the European Logistics Census – Autumn 2026, published on 6 October and based on a survey of 628 businesses and investors, 89% of respondents expect their electricity requirements to increase in the coming years. As a result, power availability and the ability to connect to the electricity grid are becoming as important as access to motorways, ports and major consumer markets.

This shift is particularly significant for large warehouses incorporating automated handling systems, robotics, refrigeration facilities and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The survey also points to signs of a recovery in demand for warehouse space, with 47% of occupiers expecting to expand their logistics footprint over the next one to three years.

Meanwhile, 81% of investors express a preference for high-specification logistics properties, highlighting the importance of building quality in a market where occupier requirements are becoming increasingly complex.

Automation Reshapes Demand for Logistics Space

Technological upgrades are emerging as one of the key factors reshaping demand in the logistics sector.

The expansion of e-commerce, the need for faster goods distribution and pressure to reduce operating costs are encouraging businesses to adopt automated systems.

Robotics, automated order-picking systems and inventory management technologies are improving productivity while also increasing electricity requirements.

For property owners and investors, this means that a building’s technical infrastructure can directly affect its ability to attract occupiers.

A property with insufficient electrical capacity may require substantial additional investment before it can accommodate a modern logistics operator.

By contrast, facilities with adequate power supply, the potential to install photovoltaic systems and modern electromechanical infrastructure can offer greater operational flexibility.

Electricity Capacity Becomes a Competitive Factor for Greece’s Logistics Hubs

In Greece, Savills’ findings are particularly relevant to the country’s main logistics clusters, including Thriasio Plain, Aspropyrgos, Oinofyta and Thessaloniki.

These areas have experienced significant logistics development, often without infrastructure planning fully aligned with the requirements of increasingly technology-intensive operations.

As automation expands and energy demand rises, available grid capacity could become a decisive factor in determining which locations remain competitive.

For developers and investors, access to electricity is therefore becoming a strategic consideration alongside location, transport connectivity and construction quality. The availability of sufficient megawatts could increasingly influence site selection, development feasibility, tenant demand and the long-term value of logistics assets.