According to DCD, the Rostock government in northern Germany has broken ground on a new €6 million ($6.9 million) municipal data center that will feature 300kW of capacity across 90 square meters of white space. The facility, being developed by PBIT systems and DC Datacenter Group, is scheduled for shell completion in Q1 2026 with full operation by September 2026. While the city owns the building, Deutsche Telekom will manage operations, and the site will include solar power and waste heat reuse. Simultaneously, the municipality of Dummerstorf just south of Rostock is negotiating with an unnamed German investor, potentially Freo Group, for a massive 1.2GW data center campus on 30 hectares under the codename “Beowulf.”
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From Small Town to Potential Tech Hub
Here’s the thing about these developments – they could completely transform northern Germany’s data center landscape. Rostock currently has just one facility operated by euNetworks, making it basically a data center desert. Now we’re looking at a municipal project and potentially one of the world’s largest campuses in the same region. That’s quite the upgrade path.
The municipal data center itself is interesting because it’s not trying to compete commercially. Dr. Chris von Wrycz Rekowski called it “a clear commitment to the digital sovereignty of our municipality,” which basically means they want control over their own infrastructure. At 300kW, it’s modest by hyperscale standards but significant for local government needs. The fact that they’re building it with their own funds rather than private investment shows how seriously they’re taking this.
That 1.2GW Campus Is Absolutely Massive
Let’s talk about the Dummerstorf project for a minute. 1.2 gigawatts? That’s enormous – we’re talking about power equivalent to a nuclear reactor. For context, Tagesschau reports this would be one of the world’s largest data center campuses if it moves forward.
The investor behind this, potentially Freo Group according to NDR, isn’t exactly known for data center development. They’re primarily real estate investors. So why would they jump into such a massive tech infrastructure project? Northern Germany offers cheaper land, potentially cheaper power, and cooler climates than traditional hubs like Frankfurt. It makes sense from that perspective.
Part of a Bigger German Trend
Meanwhile, over in Bochum, municipal fiber provider Glasfaser Ruhr is planning another data center according to WAZ. This one would host at least 235 racks at up to 10kW per rack. What’s interesting here is that we’re seeing multiple municipal and regional players getting into the data center game.
Is this Germany’s answer to the cloud giants dominating the market? Maybe. Local governments and utility companies are realizing they need to control their digital destiny. They’re building infrastructure that serves public needs first while potentially creating revenue streams by offering capacity to third parties.
The timing is also noteworthy. With construction starting now and migration planned for next year, Rostock’s project shows how quickly even government projects can move when there’s political will. The Dummerstorf project, if it happens, would be on a completely different scale and timeline though.
What Comes Next?
So where does this leave northern Germany? Potentially on the map as a serious data center location. The combination of municipal investment and potential massive private development creates a compelling narrative.
But let’s be real – a 1.2GW campus is still just talks and rumors. WebPioneer notes the “Beowulf” codename suggests this has been in planning for a while, but until we see actual construction, it remains speculative. The municipal project in Rostock is definitely happening though – they’ve broken ground and have a clear timeline.
Either way, Germany’s data center map might be getting some new pins in the north. And given the power constraints we’re seeing in traditional hubs, that diversification could be exactly what the market needs.
