Google plans to construct a data center in Kronstorf, Austria, to meet growing demand for Google’s digital services and AI capabilities. While the IT load capacity of the project has not been revealed so far, the facility will commit strongly to achieving energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
According to a Google press release, the new facility in Kronstorf will be equipped to support off-site heat recovery and feature a green roof with solar panels. It will be ready for off-site heat recovery that can be provided free of charge to eligible partners to support the decarbonization of local heat sources.
Capturing data center heat represents an opportunity for energy conservation, and locally contributes to the energy transition. The facility will also be equipped with a green roof with solar panels which will directly contribute clean energy to help power the data center.
Local political leaders and Google executives voiced their support for Google’s construction project in Kronstorf Austria to make the country into a new European data center hub.
Christine Antlanger-Winter, Country Director Google Switzerland & Regional Senior Director, Alpine, said, “I’m pleased to announce Google’s first investment in a data center in Austria. This will give businesses, public institutions, and people throughout Austria even better access to our technology, thus supporting the digital transformation. It also underscores our long-term vision for Europe, demonstrating a deep commitment to accelerating regional innovation through strategic investment.”
Thomas Stelzer, Governor of Upper Austria, said, “Google’s decision to build in Kronstorf is a powerful signal for Upper Austria as a hub for business and innovation. It demonstrates that Upper Austria is internationally sought-after, competitive, reliable, and forward-looking. This investment strengthens our digital infrastructure, and provides additional momentum to our AI and innovation strategy.”
Markus Achleitner, State Minister for Economic Affairs, said, “Google’s arrival in Kronstorf is a clear validation of Upper Austria’s forward-thinking location policy. In close cooperation with local municipalities, this policy ensures that commercial zones are available at the required scale Google is further driving the expansion of digital infrastructure in our region.”
Christian Kolarik, Mayor of Kronstorf and Head of Municipal Association INKOBA Kronstorf-Hargelsberg, said, “This collaboration paves the way for the future. Through cooperation between the municipalities of Kronstorf and Hargelsberg, together with the State of Upper Austria, the Kronstorf site was able to prevail in global competition in addition to the upgrade of the power supply for the State’s capital city Linz and voted by Austrian Power Grid.”
Google is currently developing an information center in Kronstorf, where the community and the wider region can discuss and learn about digital infrastructure and its contributions to Austria’s society and economy.
Google has an ambition to run on consistent carbon-free energy (CFE) through every grid where it operates. Google aims to directly support Austrian decarbonization goals and to contribute to a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system for everyone.
Google’s continued investment in technical infrastructure in Europe, including its data centers, plays an essential role in powering popular digital services used by people across the continent every day, such as Search, YouTube, Maps, and Workspace, as well as extending its AI capabilities.