German startup Polarise plans 30-megawatt AI data center to boost sovereign control

Summary

German startup Polarise plans to build a 30-megawatt AI data center in Bavaria, underscoring Europe’s push for greater control over critical digital infrastructure.

FRANKFURT, March 10, 2026 — German tech startup Polarise said on Tuesday it plans to build a large artificial intelligence data center in the Bavarian town of Amberg, aiming to strengthen domestic computing capacity as Europe prioritizes digital sovereignty.

The first phase of the facility is expected to deliver 30 megawatts (MW) of capacity by mid-2027, with scope to expand to as much as 120 MW depending on customer demand.

Industry data shows Germany had roughly 530 MW of AI data center capacity at the end of 2025, though much of it is operated by foreign firms.

Push for digital sovereignty

The project reflects growing concern across Europe about reliance on foreign technology providers for critical digital infrastructure.

Polarise said the facility would offer a locally operated alternative aligned with European regulatory standards and provide resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global supply chains.

Investment scale and expansion outlook

Polarise declined to disclose the full investment size, though people familiar with the project said the first stage would likely cost in the “triple-digit million euro” range, excluding specialized AI chips.

The company previously opened a smaller 12-MW facility in Munich that cost about €1 billion ($1.16 billion), highlighting the capital intensity of high-performance computing infrastructure.

The final scale of the Amberg project will depend on customer demand for cloud services versus colocated hardware.

Energy strategy in focus

With AI infrastructure under scrutiny for energy consumption, Polarise said it will partner with WV Energie to power the site through dedicated wind and solar capacity supported by battery storage.

The company said this setup is designed to stabilize energy costs and reduce reliance on broader grid volatility.

Why this matters

• Strategic autonomy: Domestically operated AI infrastructure supports Europe’s broader push for digital sovereignty.
• Market diversification: Local capacity could reduce dependence on global hyperscalers such as Google and Amazon Web Services.
• Energy transition pressure: The project highlights how AI growth intersects with Europe’s clean energy agenda.
• Long-term competitiveness: Expanding sovereign compute capacity may strengthen Europe’s AI ecosystem.

FAQs

Q1. What does “sovereign control” mean here?

It refers to infrastructure owned and operated within Europe and governed by local laws on data protection and security.

Q2. How large is a 30-MW data center?

It is considered large-scale; hyperscale facilities typically begin around 100 MW.

Q3. When will the facility open?

Polarise expects the first phase to be operational by mid-2027.