In Austria, local opponents are trying to stop the construction of a large data center planned by Google. This comes amid growing concerns across Europe about the environmental impact of expanding data centers, which require significant amounts of energy and water. In September, Christina Gruber, a local activist against the project, organized a protest near Linz, where the 50-hectare facility is set to be built. She criticized the lack of transparency around the project and raised concerns about its environmental costs, especially the amount of water needed for cooling and the high electricity usage. The first phase of the data center could use up to 1.31 TWh of electricity each year—enough to power 375,000 homes. Construction began in April, with a partial opening expected by 2027. Google describes the project as a major investment that would create around 100 direct jobs and provide economic benefits. The company claims its data centers are among the most energy-efficient and will support local sustainability efforts. Local officials did not respond to requests for comment. Austrian officials, including Thomas Stelzer, the governor of Upper Austria, have praised the project, saying it would send a strong signal about the region's commitment to becoming a hub for business and innovation. However, environmental concerns remain, with some residents and activists arguing that the energy use is problematic, especially in light of Europe's record-breaking heat this summer. The expansion of data centers is part of a larger trend across Europe, where the sector is growing rapidly and is expected to consume about 114 TWh of electricity by 2030—more than 3% of the EU's total electricity demand. Similar opposition is emerging in other European countries. In France, legal challenges have been raised against an Amazon data center project in Spain, while Amsterdam has placed a temporary halt on new data center construction due to concerns about space and energy supply. Denmark has ranked data centers lower in priority for network connections to reduce strain on its electricity system. Francesca Musiani, a researcher specializing in internet infrastructure at France's CNRS, notes that the physical nature of digital infrastructure is becoming more visible, leading to growing tensions between the expansion of artificial intelligence and climate goals. In April, an investigation by a group of journalists claimed that Brussels has allowed tech companies to keep the environmental effects of their projects hidden. Recently, the European Union proposed a new system to rate the environmental impact of data centers, marking a significant step in addressing these concerns. The debate over data centers highlights the challenge of balancing technological growth with environmental responsibility. As demand for digital services increases, so does the need for energy, raising questions about sustainability and the long-term consequences of such infrastructure. With the EU now taking steps to regulate the environmental footprint of these facilities, the future of data center expansion may depend on how effectively these challenges are addressed.