German Start-up Polarise Plans New 30-Megawatt AI Facility

In a significant move to bolster domestic technological infrastructure, the German start-up Polarise has announced plans to construct a 30-megawatt artificial intelligence data center. This project is expected to double the domestically-run computing capacity of Germany as European nations increasingly seek to secure sovereign control over critical digital assets. The new facility is scheduled to begin operations in the Bavarian town of Amberg by mid-2027. While the initial phase focuses on 30 MW, the company indicated the site could eventually scale up to 120 MW. This expansion comes at a time when the broader German market for AI data centers reached a total capacity of 530 MW at the end of last year, though a substantial portion of that infrastructure is currently managed by international providers. The drive for localized infrastructure is fueled by heightening global tensions and diverging international regulations regarding online content. By establishing internal facilities, European states aim to mitigate risks associated with trade tariffs and geopolitical conflicts. Major technology giants such as Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. typically operate facilities with capacities exceeding 100 MW, setting a high benchmark for the industry. Polarise, which currently manages 13 data centers both within Germany and internationally, has not disclosed the exact investment required for the Amberg project. Marc Gazivoda, the marketing director for Polarise, noted that the financial requirements are fluid. > The final investment volume depends heavily on how many customers install their own servers or rent computing power. Sources close to the company suggest the initial stage will require an investment in the triple-digit million euro range, covering core infrastructure but excluding the cost of specialized AI chips. For comparison, a 12-MW facility recently opened by Polarise in Munich was estimated by Deutsche Telekom AG to have cost approximately 1 billion euros. To address the high energy demands of AI processing, Polarise is partnering with WV Energie to develop a dedicated wind and solar power plant. This renewable energy setup will be complemented by battery storage systems to ensure a consistent power supply for the data center.