firstcolo Launches €250M FRA7 Data Center in Germany, Targeting AI and Cloud Workloads
June 15, 2026
firstcolo Launches €250M FRA7 Data Center in Germany, Targeting AI and Cloud Workloads
German data center provider firstcolo has broken ground on its FRA7 facility in Rosbach vor der Höhe, marking a €250 million investment that underscores the growing demand for high-density digital infrastructure in Europe. The project, one of the largest private investments in digital infrastructure in the state of Hesse, is designed to support the next generation of cloud, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing applications.
The 24 MW facility will feature power densities of up to 200 kW per rack and incorporate modern liquid-cooling technologies, positioning it to handle the intense computational requirements of AI workloads. Hesse’s Minister of Digitalization, Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus, hailed the project as a critical signal for Germany’s business competitiveness. “High-performance data centers are a central prerequisite for digitalization and artificial intelligence,” she said. “Today’s groundbreaking is not only a commitment to Hesse’s role as a leading digital hub, but also a commitment to European sovereignty.”
The FRA7 data center will be powered entirely by certified green electricity and aims for a power usage effectiveness (PUE) rating below 1.2. It will also employ modern battery storage systems capable of feeding surplus energy back into the grid. A key sustainability element is the planned free provision of waste heat from the facility to the city of Rosbach vor der Höhe for at least 20 years, enabling climate-friendly heating options in partnership with local stakeholders.
Construction is being carried out by a joint venture consortium (ARGE) comprising Lupp, responsible for structural shell, facade, and interior fit-out, and SPIE, which is delivering all building services engineering and critical infrastructure systems. SPIE Managing Director Daniel Schmitt noted the project sets “new standards in energy efficiency and power density,” while Lupp’s Dennis Bausch emphasized the goal of a “prompt and high-quality handover.”
For the local economy, the project is expected to create qualified jobs and strengthen the region’s technology sector. Rainer Schwarz, President of the Gießen-Friedberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, described the investment as “an important investment signal in economically challenging times.” firstcolo founder and CEO Jerome Evans framed the project as the beginning of a broader expansion strategy. “FRA7 marks the starting point of a comprehensive investment offensive,” he said. “In the near future, we plan to significantly expand our data center capacities and thereby sustainably strengthen our presence in the region and beyond.”
Source: hpcwire
