Google begins construction of major data center in Kronstorf, Austria

Google has commenced construction on a major data center in Kronstorf, Upper Austria, located on the Enns river. The project is intended to support artificial intelligence training and is expected to create between 70 and 100 permanent jobs.

However, the project faces significant environmental criticism. Reports indicate the facility may consume up to 200 liters of water per second from the Enns for cooling, with discharge temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius, which poses a threat to local fish populations. Furthermore, critics highlight the massive resource requirements, noting the center could consume more electricity than all households in Upper Austria combined and utilize approximately five billion liters of groundwater annually.

Leonhard Schitter, head of Energie AG Oberösterreich, defended the necessity of such centers to support the growing demand for AI, while noting that Austria must accelerate the expansion of renewable energy sources like wind and solar to meet rising electricity needs.