Google begins construction of major Austrian data centre

Google has begun construction on its first Austrian data centre in Kronstorf, Upper Austria. The 50-hectare facility, intended to support growing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence, is expected to become operational in 2027. The company anticipates creating approximately 100 direct jobs and thousands of indirect positions, while implementing sustainability measures such as solar panels and heat recovery systems.

However, the project has faced significant local opposition. Approximately 400 protesters gathered in Linz to voice concerns regarding the facility's environmental impact. Critics, including aquatic ecologist Christina Gruber, have cited a lack of transparency and expressed alarm over the massive consumption of electricity and water. Estimates suggest the first phase could consume up to 1.31 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the usage of roughly 375,000 households, and could discharge up to 5.8 million liters of heated water daily into the River Enns.