In Europe, projects are underway to transform outdated coal and gas power plants into data centers. This initiative arises from the increasing demand for artificial intelligence services, which require substantial energy resources.
Repurposing coal stations into data centers
Companies like Microsoft and Amazon are exploring the use of closed coal and gas plants as large-scale data centers. These facilities already have the necessary electrical infrastructure and cooling systems in place, making them attractive for such projects.
Benefits for energy companies
Energy firms, including Engie, RWE, and Enel, are adopting this strategy to avoid the costs associated with decommissioning old sites while generating new revenue streams through long-term agreements with tech partners. According to Simon Stanton of RWE, "It’s more about the long-term relationship... that enables you to de-risk and underwrite your infrastructure investments."
Potential revenues from data centers
Data centers are becoming highly lucrative projects. Models like the "energy park" help companies establish direct connections with renewable energy sources. Engie plans to double its capacity from 46 GW by 2030 and has identified 40 potential sites for data centers globally.
Thus, transforming coal and gas stations into data centers may provide new opportunities for energy companies while meeting the rising demand for computing power in the age of artificial intelligence.
