Croatia to Host Pioneering Biomass-Powered AI Data Center
February 10, 2026
A novel project in Croatia is set to demonstrate a circular economy model for the data center industry by powering a new facility with agricultural waste, a move that addresses both the sector's growing energy demands and its environmental footprint. Engineering solutions firm Inovapro is planning to develop a "green AI data center" in Čaporice near Trilj, approximately 30 miles northeast of Split.
The €20 million ($23.8 million) project, with a planned capacity of 3MW, will be part of a larger agro-energy park. This park is designed to generate power from biomass, specifically utilizing waste from the local olive oil industry as well as from the tourism and hospitality sectors. Construction is slated to begin imminently, with completion targeted for the first half of 2027. The energy park itself is a significant undertaking, being built on a five-hectare site with the capacity to process 12,900 tons of bio-waste annually. A key innovative aspect of the design is the planned reuse of heat generated by the data center servers.
This waste heat will be used to dry the olive pomace—the pulpy residue left after oil extraction—which is often difficult to dispose of due to its acidity and toxicity. Inovapro is reportedly seeking co-financing for the project from European Union funds. This project represents a tangible step towards more sustainable data center operations, particularly in regions with strong agricultural sectors. By converting a local waste problem into a renewable energy source and implementing heat reuse, the model could offer a blueprint for reducing reliance on the grid and minimizing environmental impact. If successful, it may inspire similar integrated energy and computing projects across Southern Europe and other agricultural regions, aligning data center growth with circular economy principles.
Source: datacenterdynamics
