Data Center Project Halted in Poland’s Masovian Voivodeship After Local Council Vote

Municipal authorities in central Poland have blocked a proposed data center development, dealing a setback to plans for a major digital infrastructure investment in the Masovian Voivodeship. Councillors from the commune of Dobre voted unanimously to remove the facility from the area’s general municipal plan, effectively halting the project before it could move forward.

The facility was slated for a 90-hectare (222-acre) site outside the village of Nowa Wieś, a rural area where the scale of the proposed development quickly became a point of contention. The project was petitioned by Energize, a Warsaw-based limited company, according to local political activist Paweł Kasprzak, though the claim could not be independently verified. The developer had envisioned a three-story data center on the plot, which was expected to generate roughly €60 million ($69 million) in tax revenue for the local municipality over time.

Despite the potential fiscal benefits, opposition mounted swiftly. More than 200 residents from four surrounding villages signed a petition against the project, citing concerns over the facility’s size and a perceived lack of consultation about its arrival. Parts of the designated land, which included agricultural property outside Nowa Wieś, were also classified as third-class under Polish law, adding to the sensitivity of the proposal.

Kamil Wichrowski, mayor of the city and commune of Dobre, acknowledged the decision while leaving the door open for future discussions. “This doesn't rule out the possibility that when a major player or a significant investment emerges, we can engage in discussions with residents and consider it,” he told TVP3 Warsaw. Local landowner Zbigniew Zalewski, who owned the estate on which the facility would have been built, expressed disappointment with the council’s move. “This commune needs money to develop, build roads, bike paths, schools – to maintain its current needs,” Zalewski told TVP3 Warsaw.

The Masovian Voivodeship is home to 41 data centers, according to DataCenters.com, with the overwhelming majority concentrated in Warsaw. Demand for new facilities across Poland remains robust, and public opposition to data center projects is still relatively uncommon compared to countries like Germany or the United Kingdom. However, this is not an isolated case. In August, a joint development by Polish construction firm Budimex and Spanish infrastructure operator Ferrovial in Piaseczno drew complaints from residents of the nearby town of Józefosław, who warned that the new facility could worsen existing water pressure issues in the area.

The decision in Dobre underscores a growing tension between the need for digital infrastructure and local community concerns, a dynamic that is likely to shape future project approvals across the region. As Poland’s data center market continues to expand, developers may need to place greater emphasis on early engagement with local stakeholders to avoid similar roadblocks.