EdgeConnex, a leading data center developer, has announced plans to invest €600 million in a new data center campus in Heusenstamm, a town on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany. The project will involve the construction of two data center buildings on the Jahnstrasse campus, spanning approximately 57,000 square meters (613,542.89 square feet).
The proposal was discussed by the Heusenstamm building committee on January 22, 2024, and received a favorable recommendation for approval. The final decision will be made during a city council meeting on February 5.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability Initiatives
EdgeConnex has committed to powering the data centers entirely with renewable energy. To support this initiative, a new power line will be built from Dietzenbach to Heusenstamm. Additionally, the company plans to construct a “heating center” on the northern edge of the site. This facility will enable waste heat from the data centers to be fed into the district heating network, further enhancing the project’s sustainability.
Heusenstamm’s mayor, Steffen Ball, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Without data centers, there is no digitization. Through the climate protection fund, into which the operator pays five million euros, the city can realize further environmentally friendly projects. If the data center is not built in Heusenstamm, then it will be built somewhere else.”
Strategic Location and Expansion Plans
Heusenstamm’s proximity to Frankfurt, a major European hub for data centers, makes it an ideal location for EdgeConnex’s expansion. The company acquired the land for the campus in March 2023 and is actively developing its presence in the region.
EdgeConnex is also working on a colocation data center in Dietzenbach, which borders Heusenstamm. This facility, named EDCFRA01, will occupy around 3.6 hectares of land. The company’s existing data center in Munich, acquired from Vodafone in 2019, further strengthens its footprint in Germany.
Future Developments and Specifications
While EdgeConnex has not yet released detailed specifications for the Heusenstamm data centers, the company has indicated that it will publish a data sheet as planning and design progress. The Frankfurt campus, which is “coming soon” according to the company’s website, will initially comprise one data center.
The Heusenstamm project aligns with EdgeConnex’s strategy to meet the growing demand for data center capacity in Europe, driven by increasing digitization and cloud adoption.
FAQ Section
1. What is the total investment for the Heusenstamm data center campus?
EdgeConnex plans to invest €600 million in the development of the data center campus in Heusenstamm.
2. How will the data centers be powered?
The data centers will be powered entirely by renewable energy, supported by a new power line from Dietzenbach to Heusenstamm.
3. What sustainability features are included in the project?
The project includes a heating center to feed waste heat into the district heating network and a €5 million contribution to a climate protection fund for environmentally friendly initiatives.
4. Where is the Heusenstamm campus located?
The campus is located on Jahnstrasse in Heusenstamm, a town on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany.
5. What other projects is EdgeConnex developing in the region?
EdgeConnex is also developing a colocation data center in Dietzenbach, named EDCFRA01, and operates an existing data center in Munich.
