Planned Google expansion in Kronstorf could consume 4.4 terawatt-hours of electricity annually

Background: Figures on electricity demand

The first expansion phase, whose groundbreaking took place at the end of April, is expected, according to Netz Oberösterreich, to require a maximum of 1.31 terawatt-hours per year, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of about 375,000 households. At the groundbreaking, the site was still cited as having a maximum capacity of 150 megawatts. Google declined to comment on the expected annual electricity consumption of the expanded site.

In addition to electricity demand, the facility could, according to the plans, discharge around 5.8 million liters of 30-degree warm water per day into the Enns river. Applications have been submitted for the entire 50-hectare site, which, according to the filings, is to become one of Google's largest locations.

SPÖ criticism over missing environmental review

Political criticism of the project is coming from the SPÖ. Environmental spokesperson Julia Herr criticized that data centers are not a separate project category under Austria's Environmental Impact Assessment Act and that the Kronstorf site is therefore not subject to an EIA requirement. She announced that she would bring the issue into the ongoing negotiations on amending the EIA Act.

Herr warned of massive impacts on the environment, soil, and electricity and water consumption. In her words: "Es kann nicht sein, dass kleine Windkraftprojekte streng auf ihre Umweltwirkung geprüft werden, während riesige Server-Hallen auf der grünen Wiese ohne Überprüfung auskommen können". The SPÖ is planning a reform of the EIA Act.

Energy policy context in Upper Austria

The debate comes at a time when Upper Austria is already under pressure over electricity supply. The state's energy report records a total consumption of 14 terawatt-hours for 2024. If the second expansion phase with 500 megawatts of peak capacity is actually realized, this site alone would tie up almost a third of the state's consumption.

When announcing the plans, Google had emphasized that a potential full-buildout phase would have a maximum capacity of 500 megawatts. However, the company did not comment on the expected annual electricity consumption of the expanded site. It therefore remains unclear how high the actual demand would be at full utilization.

The host municipality of Kronstorf in the Linz-Land district is, with the project, moving into the center of a supraregional debate about energy policy, water management, and the reach of environmental reviews. The further negotiations on the EIA amendment are considered decisive for whether large data centers will also have to undergo an environmental impact assessment in the future.