First construction vehicles still distant

The arrival of the first construction vehicles for the Google data center project in Châteauroux is still far off. The project remains in the planning and consultation stages, with no actual construction having begun yet.

Public consultation to begin in November

Starting in early November, the general public will be able to get an idea of the mega data center and provide their opinions. This is part of a prior consultation organized by the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).

History of attempts at major projects

The first time the press was invited to a major project on the Ozans area was in June 2014, for the laying of the first stone of a Chinese building. The building exists, but it has never been used, and the Chinese have since withdrawn from the site.

New project by Google

A new major event took place in March 2019 for the Green Challenge 36 at the Châteauroux city hall. This time, the project is led by an American company called Google, with Siemens and EDF as patrons.

Project details and land use

The Chinese had previously acquired the Ozans castle (which has since burned down) and 40 hectares of land. The Americans are now installing themselves on 200 hectares, nearly half of the High Environmental Quality (HQE) area.

Public involvement through multiple meetings

Between November 9 and December 11, no less than 15 meetings will be held, including public meetings, thematic workshops, and site visits. These will take place mainly in Châteauroux, Diors, and Déols.

Environmental considerations

The consultation is mandatory due to the environmental impact of a very high voltage line needed to supply the data center. Jean Louis Laure of the CNDP emphasized that the team's role is to inform the public, not to influence the debates.

Project evolution and scale

Sarah Raymond, project manager for Google, noted that the project has evolved, reducing the number of buildings from ten to six or eight to accommodate environmental concerns. Google plans to build the first data center by 2030 to meet growing demand.

Technical and environmental features

The first building will include a substation, transformers, generators, and cooling modules. It will use decarbonized energy and consume 1000 cubic meters of water per building. However, the disposal of heat generated in the summer remains a question.

Employment and training opportunities

The project is expected to generate around a thousand jobs during the construction phase and 1800 to 2600 permanent jobs once fully operational. Training organizations are being contacted to prepare local workers for these roles.

Public events and opposition

An appointment is set for November 9 at the Châteauroux town hall. Meanwhile, the group "Ozans say no" plans a day of action on October 17 in Etrechet, including a march, round tables, and a picnic dinner.