HAMBURG (dpa-AFX): Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch is warning that Germany risks falling behind in the expansion of data centers. "If we do not bring data centers and the associated value creation into the country, it will have consequences for our prosperity," Bruch stated. While Siemens Energy does not build data centers itself, it serves as a key supplier to the industry.

In Maintal, near Frankfurt, the US-based firm Edgeconnex recently halted plans to construct a data center. A local citizens' initiative had focused its criticism on the proposal to build a gas-fired power plant to generate electricity for the facility. Regarding the dispute and the subsequent cancellation, Bruch remarked in Hamburg: "To be honest, such developments leave me at a loss."

Bruch noted that those who arrive too late are punished by reality. "I see this danger quite specifically regarding data centers and AI." The CEO expressed his belief that Europe can still have a chance in the AI sector. "However, for that to happen, we must also be prepared to actually build the necessary infrastructure, such as data centers."

International Competition for Data Centers

Data centers are increasingly required to store data and run AI applications. The construction of these facilities has faced criticism, partly due to the industry's growing energy demands.

In the global competition for data center capacity, the US leads ahead of China. Germany currently possesses a capacity of just under three gigawatts, of which approximately 500 megawatts are dedicated to AI. In the future, capacity in the Federal Republic is expected to expand to at least six gigawatts, with at least two gigawatts reserved for AI applications./lkm/DP/jha