Interactive map: These are the locations where new data centers are to be built nationwide

The German government has launched an initiative to increase transparency around planned data center developments nationwide through an interactive map. The project, called Heiße Luft, aims to provide public access to information about locations where new data centers are set to be built, including their projected energy consumption, land use, and potential impact on local water resources. This effort comes amid growing concerns over the environmental consequences of expanding computing infrastructure, particularly its reliance on fossil fuels and its strain on freshwater supplies. The initiative was developed by a coalition of civil society organizations, including AlgorithmWatch, FragDenStaat, Leitmotiv, and the Heiße-Luft-Kollektiv. These groups compiled data from publicly available sources such as press releases from operators and developers, official publications, and reports from publicly traded companies. They also analyzed real estate market price trends and created a contact form allowing citizens to submit corrections or additional information. The resulting interactive map allows users to view the status of each project, identify the entities behind them, and assess the likely water stress caused by their operations. According to the National Computing Center Strategy, the German government plans to double its computing capacity by 2030 and quadruple it for AI applications. However, it has not disclosed a complete list of proposed sites or quantified the water usage required for expansion. The lack of transparency has sparked criticism, especially given the increasing pressure on water resources in several regions. For example, some districts have implemented strict water rationing measures this summer due to shortages. Tiziana von Witzleben, co-founder of the Heiße-Luft-Kollektiv, emphasized that the rapid growth of data centers directly affects communities through high energy and water demand, while indirectly contributing to climate change by increasing reliance on fossil fuels. The map highlights specific areas where conflicts over water could arise. In Baruth, Brandenburg, Red Bull has secured a large portion of the groundwater supply, and Amazon plans to build a major data center there. Baruth lies within a district experiencing acute and structural groundwater stress. Questions remain about how much water these facilities will consume versus the needs of local farmers and residents. The project team included such cases in their analysis, underscoring the urgency of understanding the trade-offs between technological advancement and resource sustainability. Meanwhile, the federal government has moved forward with proposals to amend the Energy Efficiency Act, which would delay requirements for data centers to fully transition to renewable energy until 2030, later than the current 2027 deadline. This change is described by officials as “practical” and “less bureaucratic,” but critics argue it favors fossil fuel companies. Under the revised law, operators can still claim compliance by sourcing half their electricity from renewables, even as they rely on new gas-fired power plants to meet the remaining demand. In areas like Maintal and Birstein, data centers are expected to operate independently of the public grid, drawing exclusively from these newly constructed facilities.