German start-up Polarise plans a 30 MW AI data centre in Bavaria, potentially expanding to 120 MW, as Europe pushes for greater technological sovereignty.
Initial development costs are expected in the triple digit million euro range, excluding chips and computing hardware.
The facility will run on wind and solar power supported by battery storage, reflecting growing scrutiny of AI infrastructure’s energy footprint.
A German technology start-up is moving to expand Europe’s control over artificial intelligence infrastructure with plans to build a major new data centre that could double the country’s domestically operated computing capacity.
Polarise announced plans to develop a 30-megawatt AI data centre in the Bavarian town of Amberg, with operations expected to begin in mid-2027. The company says the facility could ultimately expand to 120 MW as demand for AI computing power accelerates across Europe.
The project arrives amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing concern among European governments about reliance on foreign technology providers. From tariffs and supply chain disruptions to diverging rules on digital platforms, policymakers increasingly view data infrastructure as a strategic asset tied to economic and national security.
Germany’s AI data centre capacity reached about 530 MW at the end of last year, according to the German digital industry association Bitkom. Much of that capacity, however, is operated by international firms rather than domestic providers.
Investment Scale Reflects Rapid Growth in AI Demand
Polarise declined to disclose the exact size of the investment required for the Amberg facility, though early development costs are expected to reach into the hundreds of millions of euros.
“The final investment volume depends heavily on how many customers install their own servers or rent computing power,” said Marc Gazivoda, Polarise’s marketing director, adding that it did not receive state subsidies and investments could vary.
A source close to the company said the first stage of the project would cost in the “triple-digit million euro range”, covering core infrastructure but excluding the specialised chips that power AI workloads. Final project costs will depend on the type and number of processors deployed once customers secure computing capacity.
Large global technology firms such as Google and Amazon Web Services typically operate facilities with capacities of 100 MW or more, highlighting the scale of infrastructure needed to support AI development. Even at 30 MW, Polarise’s project would rank among the largest domestically operated AI computing hubs in Germany.
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The company already runs 13 data centres across Germany and international markets, positioning itself as a regional alternative to hyperscale cloud providers.
Energy Supply Emerges as Key Constraint
The energy demands of AI computing have become one of the sector’s most closely watched constraints. Data centres running advanced AI models consume vast amounts of electricity, driving scrutiny from regulators, utilities, and investors concerned about grid stability and carbon emissions.
Polarise plans to power the Amberg facility with renewable energy through a partnership with WV Energie, which will install a dedicated wind and solar power plant to supply electricity for the data centre.
Battery systems will also be deployed to store power temporarily and stabilize supply during periods of variable renewable generation.
The focus on energy supply comes as global oil prices recently climbed above $100 per barrel, intensifying attention on the cost and reliability of electricity for power-intensive digital infrastructure.
Sovereign AI Capacity Becomes Strategic Priority
The project follows the launch of a 12 MW Polarise data centre in Munich last month, which Deutsche Telekom estimates cost about €1 billion, equivalent to roughly $1.16 billion. That facility alone doubled Germany’s existing capacity for locally operated AI computing infrastructure.
For European policymakers, expanding domestic computing capability is becoming central to the continent’s technology strategy. Governments increasingly want AI models trained, hosted, and governed within European regulatory frameworks rather than relying on infrastructure owned by global technology giants.
Executives and investors are watching closely as the AI boom reshapes capital allocation across energy, infrastructure, and cloud services. Data centres capable of supporting advanced AI workloads are rapidly becoming strategic national assets.
Polarise’s planned expansion in Bavaria highlights how smaller regional providers are attempting to capture part of that market while aligning with European priorities around sovereignty, energy transition, and digital governance.
As demand for AI compute accelerates worldwide, projects like the Amberg facility illustrate the growing convergence of technology policy, energy systems, and infrastructure investment shaping the next phase of the global digital economy.
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