Alphabet’s Google has revealed intentions to allocate EUR 600 million towards constructing a new data center in the Netherlands, building upon its prior investments totaling nearly EUR 4 billion, which aimed to bolster its Dutch infrastructure over the last decade.
The company disclosed that the upcoming data center will be situated in the Westpoort business park within Groningen municipality, with construction already in progress. Anticipating the creation of 125 direct local employment opportunities and numerous indirect jobs linked to the construction phase, Google emphasized its commitment to sustainability and fostering a beneficial influence on local communities throughout the planning phase.
Marco Ynema, Google’s data center lead in the Netherlands, stated that the company intends to continue supporting “local social organizations, schools and companies in Groningen and the Netherlands.”
This move comes four months after it announced plans to build a data center in the municipality of Oldambt. Additionally, Google’s facilities in Middenmeer and the Eemshaven seaport have already employed 670 people.
Google added that the new data center in Groningen will be fitted with solar panels to reflect the company’s green goals.
Google aims to attain net-zero emissions for all its offices and data centers in the Netherlands, with the expectation that its acquisition of clean energy within the country will result in its facilities achieving over 90% CO2-free energy by 2024.
In addition to its growth in the Netherlands, Google is expanding its data center network worldwide, having recently obtained approval for another data center in Dallas, Oregon.