Google Commits €5.5 Billion to Germany’s Data Center Expansion by 2029

Google has announced a monumental investment of €5.5 billion in Germany, set to span through 2029. The highlight of this commitment is the construction of a new data center in Dietzenbach, Hesse, supplemented by expansions at Google's existing sites in Hanau, Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin. The first phase of the Dietzenbach center is expected to be operational by mid-2027.

This investment is projected to secure approximately 9,000 jobs annually across Germany, with Google planning to employ about 100 people each at the Hanau and Dietzenbach centers. A significant aspect of the project is its focus on sustainability, exemplified by a partnership with regional energy provider EVO to reuse waste heat from the Dietzenbach data center for heating around 2,000 local households.

Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein emphasized the importance of this investment for Germany's economy, framing Hesse as a pivotal hub for global digital data flows. Google Germany’s CEO Philipp Justus noted that this initiative is the largest investment Google has ever made in Germany, pointing to the country’s leading position in artificial intelligence research and technology.

Research Minister Dorothee Bär highlighted the investment’s potential to strengthen climate-neutral energy technologies and AI capabilities, contributing to German economic growth and innovation. Additionally, Hesse’s Digital Minister Kristina Sinemus emphasized the alignment of data sovereignty with US investments to ensure data remains protected within Germany or Europe.

Driven by increasing demand for computing power, particularly for AI applications, Germany expects its data center server farm capacity to nearly double to five gigawatts by 2030, marking a significant boom in digital infrastructure development.

This €5.5 billion commitment underlines Google’s strategic investment in Germany as a center for digital advancement and sustainability, securing jobs and fostering technological growth while also addressing climate considerations through innovative energy solutions.