German Town Rejects €2.5 Billion Data Centre Amid Local Backlash
Politicians in Groß-Gerau, Germany, have rejected plans for one of Europe's largest data centres. The city council voted 18 to 14 against the €2.5 billion project proposed by US firm Vantage Data Centres. The decision follows months of debate over the facility's size, environmental impact, and economic benefits for the town of around 30,000 residents. Vantage Data Centres had planned to build a 174-megawatt facility across 14 hectares on a brownfield site. The project promised millions in tax revenue and new jobs but faced strong opposition from local parties. The SPD, Greens, Liberals, and left-wing factions united against it, arguing the five planned buildings were too large and would dominate the town's skyline.
SPD faction leader Susanne Theisen-Canibol declared the town would not be 'sold out to a billionaire investor.' The Greens also raised concerns about heat emissions, claiming the centre would block a key fresh air corridor. Vantage spokesperson Luka Kim disputed these claims, stating the building heights could have been adjusted and that heat risks were exaggerated. Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau described the vote as 'an important decision,' insisting the council had not been pressured by the investor. However, CDU faction leader Thomas Hlubek called the refusal 'disastrous,' warning that Groß-Gerau would lose out on vital tax income and a reliable investor. Industry observers noted the rejection could deter similar projects in other mid-sized German cities. Over the past three years, resistance to large-scale infrastructure has grown, with investors becoming more cautious. The decision may now influence Germany's broader data centre strategy, as smaller towns weigh economic gains against local opposition.
The rejected data centre would have been one of Europe's largest, with a €2.5 billion investment. Its failure leaves Groß-Gerau without expected tax revenue and job opportunities. The vote also signals wider challenges for major infrastructure projects in comparable German towns.
