The facility will help support booming demand for services like Google Cloud, Workspace, Search and Maps that people and businesses use every day.

Google has said the new data centre will also strengthen its Google Cloud region in the Netherlands, part of the company’s global network of 42 regions that delivers the high-performance and low-latency services that businesses use to build and scale their own AI-powered solutions.

“Digital infrastructure is the backbone of the digital economy, needed to fulfil the country’s AI ambitions,” said Marco Ynema, Google’s data center lead in The Netherlands. “Our continued investments in technical infrastructure, clean energy capacity and job-ready AI skills are directly ensuring that everyone in Winschoten and in The Netherlands remain at the cutting-edge of global tech opportunities.”

Sustainability pledge

Opening this data centre is part of Google’s pledge to develop long-term success in Europe. The technology giant is building on 25 years of investment and partnership and has committed to building energy-efficient data centres to responsibly grow its infrastructure.

The Winschoten site is equipped to support off-site heat recovery, meaning the waste heat it produces is available for any future district heating networks to help warm local homes, schools or businesses. Google said the facility also has solar panels on the roof and uses air-cooling technology to limit water usage to domestic use.

Last year, the company came under fire for its emissions rising by 13% on account of increased data centre energy consumption and supply chain emissions. In response, Google said it was working through challenges, with CSO Kate Brandt and Benedict Gomes, SVP, learning & sustainability, saying in the 2024 report: “In spite of the progress we are making, we face significant challenges that we’re actively working through.”

They added: “A sustainable future requires systems-level change, strong government policies and new technologies. We’re committed to collaboration and playing our part, every step of the way.”

In 2025, the company released its 2025 Environmental Report and revealed it had signed contracts to purchase over 8GW of additional clean energy generation in 2024 – the largest annual total in its history and double the volume contracted in the prior year.

To date, Google has supported more than one gigawatt of clean energy generation capacity in The Netherlands. For example, this year the company announced landmark power purchase agreement (PPA) with Shell, making it the first time a corporate PPA will extend the lifespan of an offshore wind farm.

Beyond operations, Google is working to improve local watershed health near its offices and data centres to replenish 120% of the water it consumes on average by 2030.

Boosting the European digital economy

Google believes The Netherlands has an incredible opportunity with AI, commissioning a study which found generative AI (Gen AI) alone could boost The Netherland’s GDP by €80-85 billion (US$92.6-98.4 billion).

Already, the company has invested more than €3.7 billion ($4.28 billion) in The Netherlands in digital infrastructure, citing this as a significant part of growing the AI economy.

“The opening of Google’s new data centre is a critical development for our operations and for the entire Dutch digital ecosystem. As a Google Cloud customer, this increased capacity, especially for AI-powered services, means we can innovate faster, maintain high performance and scale our business with greater confidence,” said Jan Baan, CEO at Omoda.

“Moreover, Google’s ongoing investment in digital infrastructure and clean energy directly supports the country’s AI ambitions, making a tangible contribution to the growth and competitiveness of the Dutch economy overall.”

Having broken ground on the site in December 2023, Google now works with nearly 160 Dutch suppliers for its data centre operations in The Netherlands. Its data centre facilities across the country create jobs for roughly 700 people in full-time and contractor roles.

It has also announced a partnership with the municipality of Oldambt, WerkPro, Afeer and Cosis, to develop a Circular Centre across the data centre site. This initiative aims to foster a circular economy by collecting, sorting and reusing materials, while also serving as a social and educational hub.

Key operations include repair services and the dismantling of electrical goods, both promoting social inclusion and employment.

The company said in its announcement: “Google’s investments enable the advancement of AI and digital technologies creating significant opportunities for Europe to enhance economic competitiveness, productivity, and scientific progress in service of thriving and sustainable societies.”

It added: “Google is dedicated to playing a vital role in this journey by providing essential products and services, investing in critical infrastructure, supporting workforce upskilling, enhancing cybersecurity and safety and collaborating throughout Europe to develop and deploy AI responsibly for the benefit of all.”

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