Microsoft Breaks Ground on Major AI and Cloud Data Center in Germany's Bergheim
March 13, 2026
Microsoft has commenced construction on a significant new data center in Bergheim, Germany, marking a pivotal step in its multi-billion euro investment to expand its artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure across the country. The move underscores the intense competition among hyperscalers to secure capacity in strategic European markets with strong connectivity and access to renewable energy.
Groundwork is now underway at the INKA: terra nova industrial park following a symbolic ceremony on March 12 attended by Mona Neubaur, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister of Economic Affairs. Neubaur expressed hope that the project would serve as a "starting signal" for the Rhenish mining area, encouraging further corporate investment in the region. The facility, first announced in November 2024, will occupy a 20-hectare plot and encompass approximately 270,650 square feet (25,144 square meters) of data center space.
The Bergheim data center is a cornerstone of Microsoft's previously announced plan to invest €3.2 billion ($3.44 billion) to double its AI and cloud capacity in Germany. This funding is directed at expanding its existing cloud region in Frankfurt and building new infrastructure in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Bergheim facility will be powered exclusively by green wind energy and utilize a closed-loop cooling system to enhance sustainability.
This project is part of a broader cluster development by Microsoft in the state. Alongside the Bergheim announcement in late 2024, the company revealed plans for an 18-hectare site in nearby Bedburg. A third site in Elsdorf was added to the roadmap in September 2025. North Rhine-Westphalia's appeal lies in its proximity to the Frankfurt data center hub and its direct fiber optic connections to both Frankfurt and Amsterdam, making it an increasingly attractive location for data center operators.
he expansion significantly bolsters Germany's digital infrastructure, positioning the region to handle growing demand for cloud services and computationally intensive AI workloads. It also represents a strategic economic development initiative, aiming to transform former mining areas into high-tech centers.
Source: datacenterdynamics
