A quiet village at the foot of the Alps, Kronstorf, has become the epicenter of a fierce debate as American tech giant Google proceeds with the construction of Austria's first hyperscale data center. Located approximately two hours from Vienna, the facility is expected to drastically alter the country's energy landscape, prompting the formation of a local alliance of scientists, artists, and activists opposing the project.
Energy Hunger Surpassing Vienna
The figures behind the investment are striking. In its initial phase, the data center will require 150 MW of power, which could scale up to 500 MW upon full expansion. According to the Austrian Power Grid, annual energy consumption could reach 4.4 TWh, representing 7% of Austria's total electricity demand. To put this into perspective, this consumption exceeds the needs of all households in Vienna, a city of two million residents.
Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Gaps
Activists, led by freshwater ecologist Christina Gruber and IT specialist Harald Müllner, warn of the impact on the Enns river ecosystem, which will provide water for cooling the servers. Primary concerns focus on:
- Thermal stress on the river from the discharge of heated wastewater.
- Large-scale water consumption during periods of drought.
- The absence of a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as current Austrian law exempts data centers while requiring them for wind turbines.
Although Google maintains that the impact on river temperature will be negligible and promises solar panels on roofs, critics dismiss these measures as "greenwashing."
Political Conflict Over Digital Sovereignty
The issue has taken on significant political dimensions. The European Union aims to triple data center capacity by 2035 to keep pace in the AI race. In Austria, State Secretary for Energy Elisabeth Zehetner emphasizes that Europe cannot demand AI sovereignty while simultaneously obstructing the necessary infrastructure.
However, the Left and the Greens are calling for stricter regulations, while the center-right People's Party rejects additional restrictions. Furthermore, there are fears that increased demand will drive up electricity prices for citizens, especially as the country's hydroelectric production faces challenges from climate change.
