Google is building a third data center in Groningen. ‘We want a good relationship with our neighbors’

On Tuesday morning, the official go-ahead was given for the construction of Google’s fourth data center in our country on a 20-hectare plot of land on the A7. The others are in Middenmeer and Eemshaven (opened in 2016), while work is also underway on a new data center in Winschoten. Groningen and Winschoten are satellites of the larger center in Eemshaven. The data warehouse in Groningen can be expanded in the future if desired. Google has now invested around 3.8 billion euros in our country.

“We want our services to continue at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This reliability is important for our customers, especially critical customers such as hospitals and banks. Suppose there is an interruption in the Eemshaven for whatever reason, then Groningen or Winschoten can step in,” says Marco Ynema of Google. “In addition, the demand for data storage is still increasing.”

Building with lots of computers

He describes a data center as ‘a building with many computers. We put them together so that they can work as efficiently as possible. Our data centers are one and a half times more efficient than those of other parties.”

Google wants to use air for cooling, while solar panels on the roof can provide part of the required energy. Residual heat that is released is available to interested parties.

Beforehand, not all residents in the area were happy with the arrival of another large ‘box’ on the Westpoort industrial estate. There are concerns about light and noise pollution. Moreover, the view is not necessarily made more beautiful by yet another colossus. There is also criticism of the enormous energy consumption of the data warehouses.

Neighbors are not much bothered by it

However, according to Ynema, this has been well discussed with the surrounding area. “Our new construction here will have little impact on nature. We try to fit the buildings in as best as possible. There are many trees and shrubs around it. It must fit nicely into the landscape. Our neighbors will not be affected by this, it should not become an industrial lookout.”

A good relationship with the environment is important to Google, he argues. “We want to be good neighbors. We are here for a long period of time.”

Groningen councilor Carine Bloemhoff (education, work) acknowledges that there is sometimes hassle surrounding the arrival of a data hotel. For example, the arrival of a smaller data center in Appingedam was canceled two years ago after protests from local residents. “There is a lot to do about data centers. But we all use data, we all have an interest in it. Without the cloud we cannot store our photos. So we need them. But fit them in carefully. And that has been achieved here,” said the PvdA director.

She pointed to Google’s ambitious plans to become carbon neutral. “There will soon be solar panels on the building. It will never be completely green.”

Birds not welcome

A team is now working on the Google site in Westpoort. Digging is underway and fencing is being installed. Trucks drive back and forth with road plates. These are necessary on the rather swampy and low-lying terrain. The black-headed gulls and lapwings that are still walking around on the meadow will soon have to flee. To prevent a bird from attempting to breed, a tractor drives continuously around the construction site. Google can’t use a construction delay.