A survey conducted by the opinion research institute Yougov reveals that the German population is skeptical about the construction of new data centers. According to the report, 72 percent of respondents expressed specific concerns regarding these projects. The most common concerns cited were rising electricity consumption, potential impacts on power prices, and the amount of water needed for cooling the computing equipment. Residents are also critical of the strain these facilities place on local power grids. Additionally, a quarter of the surveyed individuals are worried about possible environmental effects, burdens on local communities due to the new buildings, and the increasing reliance on large technology companies.
In response to these apprehensions, Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) expressed understanding, telling the newspaper that he recognized the public’s questions about how the expansion of data centers would affect them. He argued that “more public education” must be provided to emphasize the benefits of such installations for municipalities and the regional economy.
Wildberger stated that data centers require optimal locations with sufficient space and suitable infrastructure. He added, “We therefore need to find appropriate areas early on-where everything fits: electricity supply, data cables, spatial planning, clear criteria, and transparency, especially for popular acceptance.” From his perspective, computing power is “the fuel for future growth and prosperity.” In linking the domestic pushback to international developments, he noted that the consequence of the US government’s blockades of Anthropic’s latest models could only be to significantly strengthen Germany’s own capabilities.
Meanwhile, Bundestag member Anna Lührmann (The Greens) called for citizen involvement in the debates surrounding data center construction. The Deputy Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Digital Committee stressed that public concerns must be taken very seriously. She warned, “If data centers overload local power grids, jeopardize groundwater, or drive up energy prices, resistance will grow.” While acknowledging that Germany requires a “smart expansion of computing power,” Lührmann insisted that the massive consumption of resources, including land, water, and electricity, must be considered alongside demand.
