German startup Polarise plans to build a new AI data centre in Amberg, Bavaria, with an initial capacity of 30 MW set for mid-2027, potentially expanding to 120 MW. This project would double Germany's domestically-operated AI computing capacity, as much of the existing 530 MW total is run by non-German providers.
The first stage of the project is estimated to cost in the triple-digit million euro range, covering infrastructure but not the AI chips themselves. Polarise's partner will supply the centre with renewable energy from a dedicated wind and solar plant.
The development is part of a broader European push for greater sovereign control over critical AI infrastructure, driven by global tensions and divergent regulatory landscapes.
German startup Polarise plans to build a new 30-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre that would double Germany's domestically-run computing capacity as European nations push to gain more control over critical tech infrastructure.
The facility, set to come online in the Bavarian town of Amberg in mid-2027, could eventually expand to 120 MW, the company told Reuters.
AI data centres âin Germany â boasted total â capacity of 530 MW at the end of last year, according to figures from German lobby group Bitkom. Much of that, however, was operated by non-German providers.
European countries are pushing for more sovereign control over data and the infrastructure required for AI due to global tensions - from tariffs to armed conflict - as well as sharply diverging rules around online content.
First stage costs in triple digit million euro range
The plans for what â would be âone of Germany's largest data centres have not been previously reported. âLarge technology âcompanies like Google and Amazon's AWS typically run data centres â of around 100 MW or more.
Polarise, which operates 13 data âcentres in Germany and abroad, declined to give details on âthe size of the required investment.
"The final investment volume depends heavily on how many customers install their own servers or rent computing power," said Marc Gazivoda, Polarise's marketing director, adding that it did not receive state subsidies and investments could vary.
A source close to the company said the first stage of the project would âcost in the "triple-digit million euro range", which includes the main infrastructure but not the chips themselves. The final cost would depend on âthe number of âchips required and their â specific types, the source said.
A 12-MW data centre opened by Polarise in Munich last month cost 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion), according to an estimate by Deutsche Telekom. That âfacility already doubled Germany's existing locally-operated capacity.
With oil prices shooting above $100 per barrel, the cost of energy for power-hungry data centres is increasingly in focus.
Polarise said its partner WV Energie will install a wind and solar power plant for the centre as well as batteries for temporary storage of electricity.
The facility, set to come online in the Bavarian town of Amberg in mid-2027, could eventually expand to 120 MW, the company told Reuters.
AI data centres âin Germany â boasted total â capacity of 530 MW at the end of last year, according to figures from German lobby group Bitkom. Much of that, however, was operated by non-German providers.
European countries are pushing for more sovereign control over data and the infrastructure required for AI due to global tensions - from tariffs to armed conflict - as well as sharply diverging rules around online content.
First stage costs in triple digit million euro range
The plans for what â would be âone of Germany's largest data centres have not been previously reported. âLarge technology âcompanies like Google and Amazon's AWS typically run data centres â of around 100 MW or more.
Polarise, which operates 13 data âcentres in Germany and abroad, declined to give details on âthe size of the required investment.
"The final investment volume depends heavily on how many customers install their own servers or rent computing power," said Marc Gazivoda, Polarise's marketing director, adding that it did not receive state subsidies and investments could vary.
A source close to the company said the first stage of the project would âcost in the "triple-digit million euro range", which includes the main infrastructure but not the chips themselves. The final cost would depend on âthe number of âchips required and their â specific types, the source said.
A 12-MW data centre opened by Polarise in Munich last month cost 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion), according to an estimate by Deutsche Telekom. That âfacility already doubled Germany's existing locally-operated capacity.
With oil prices shooting above $100 per barrel, the cost of energy for power-hungry data centres is increasingly in focus.
Polarise said its partner WV Energie will install a wind and solar power plant for the centre as well as batteries for temporary storage of electricity.
Meridiano
