Germany’s FRA03 data centre turns waste heat into sustainable urban energy by 2026

A former Samsung site transforms into a green tech hub. How one data centre’s waste heat could warm an entire town—and slash emissions.

, and Administrator

2026 January 15 . 12:51 AM

1 min read

The image shows a poster of a map of the first German Graffschaft Tirol, with text and images on... — The image shows a poster of a map of the first German Graffschaft Tirol, with text and images on it. The map is detailed and shows the various geographical features of the region, such as rivers, mountains, and cities. The text on the poster provides additional information about the region and its inhabitants.

Germany’s FRA03 data centre turns waste heat into sustainable urban energy by 2026

A new high-performance data centre, FRA03, is set to open in Schwalbach am Taunus by summer 2026. Developed by maincubes, a leading European data centre operator, on the former Samsung campus, the project has gained strong backing from local officials for its role in boosting digital infrastructure and sustainability efforts.

The FRA03 data centre will launch with an IT capacity of 16 megawatts and is designed to combine efficiency with environmental responsibility. Oliver Menzel, founder and CEO of maincubes, described the site as a blend of sustainability, performance, and digital sovereignty. To power the facility, the company has secured a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Göttingen’s municipal utility, ensuring 34 megawatts of solar energy.

Waste heat from the data centre will not go to waste. Instead, it will be fed into Schwalbach’s district heating network through a partnership with the SüWAG Group. Alexander Immisch, the town’s mayor, noted that this integration supports sustainable urban development by reducing energy waste. Local leaders have welcomed the project. Michael Cyriax, District Administrator for Main-Taunus, stressed the importance of modern data centres for economic growth and digital progress. Thomas Wacker, maincubes’ Chief Development Officer, praised the smooth planning and construction process, which has kept the project on schedule for its 2026 opening.

The FRA03 data centre will strengthen the Rhine-Main region’s digital infrastructure while cutting energy waste. By repurposing heat and using renewable power, the facility aligns with local sustainability goals. Its launch in summer 2026 marks another step in maincubes’ expansion across Europe.