Overview
- A YouGov survey published for WELT AM SONNTAG on Friday found 72% of respondents reported concrete worries about new data‑centre projects in Germany.
- The top specific concerns named were rising electricity use, higher energy prices, water consumption for cooling, and strain on local power grids.
- Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger said he understands the public worry and called for public information and early selection of sites with the right infrastructure.
- Green MP Anna Lührmann demanded stronger citizen participation and warned that resistance will grow if centres overload grids, threaten groundwater, or push up local energy costs.
- The debate links rising AI demand for computing power with real infrastructure limits and political pressure for transparent planning, local benefits, and clearer rules before more construction proceeds.