Germany Eases 2023 Data Center Heat-Reuse Rules to Spur AI Growth
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Oct 21
Germany Eases 2023 Data Center Heat-Reuse Rules to Spur AI Growth
2 articles · Updated · WIRED · Oct 21
Summary
Germany has diluted a 2023 energy-efficiency law so new data centers would only assess waste-heat reuse, not be required to deliver it, with parliament set to ratify the amendment soon.
The rollback followed industry complaints that mandatory heat recycling made projects unworkable when no municipal or industrial heat buyer was available, turning compliance into a site-selection risk.
At least 2 German projects have already been derailed amid the tougher regime, including Stack Infrastructure’s $3 billion Hesse plan and Komm.ONE’s withdrawn Baden-Württemberg development.
The change supports Berlin’s goal of doubling data-center capacity and quadrupling AI compute by 2030, but critics say it weakens climate policy as the EU targets a 55% emissions cut this decade.
That trade-off may sharpen local resistance: a German town blocked a $2.5 billion data-center project in February, echoing broader European unease over AI expansion’s energy and climate costs.