© RTL Archiv
In an interview with RTL, Google representatives provided details on their plans for a data centre in Bissen.
The internet giant wants to build the data centre in two phases, which would be an investment of €600 million on each occasion and create many job opportunities. The discussion surrounding the possible construction of the Google data centre in Bissen has been circulating since July 2017.
Since the announcement, politicians have announced the Google move to Luxembourg, but lately there has not been much news on that front. Several days ago, Google announced it would hold a citizens' meeting with local residents, due to take place on Thursday 21 November. RTL's Jeannot Ries and Pierre Weimerskirch met with representatives in Brussels to discuss the data centre plans.
Building construction in two phases
Already, Google has been investing in the site in conducting studies on the soil and environmental impact, which have cost a lot of time. Whilst time does cost money, what exactly is another couple of thousand Euros when the entire project is an investment worth millions? Google's long-term projections suggest there could be two data centres built in two phases, all to the tune of €600 million each.
The projections are for two buildings with a surface of 30,000 square metres and two floors, built to a maximum height of 25 metres. This is already not quite as large as initially announced by Minister of the Economy, Etienne Schneider.
Fabien Vieau, Google's head of European data centre development, said that whilst they have carried out studies, worked with local authorities on planning permissions, the internet giant does not yet have all the information it needs to make a decision. However, Vieau stressed that 'Google is incredibly interested in Luxembourg' and does want to set up the centre in the Grand Duchy.
It is no surprise that it has taken more than two years for Google to position itself on the possible data centre project. After all, the strategy emerging from the headquarters in California is to not communicate much outside the company. Instead, we know more about the typical Google atmosphere in its offices rather than much about its policies.
Cooling the data centre
One of the main questions surrounding the proposed project is how exactly the data centre should be cooled down. Solutions have since been suggested to counter the pressing issue, namely the cooling system. One suggestion would be to use Alzette water, which would take around 1% of the river's water in the first phase, 2% in the second. According to Google, there would be no impact on the quality of the water returning to the river. Specifically, the temperature of the water would not even rise by 1%.
Google's expert stressed that its analyses of the impact on the water shows values far below the European threshold. At the same time, Vieau highlighted the constantly-evolving state of data centres. At any rate, construction - if it goes ahead - would not begin until 2023 at the earliest.
Currently, Google is still in the process of procedural applications, but its special development plan (PAP) has been submitted. By the end of November, the public will be able to consult the file. Manager of the Belgian Saint Ghislain data centre, Frederic Descamps, explained that it is difficult for Google to present the project in every detail as the technology involved develops at a staggering rate.
European Google representatives will meet with residents at 6 pm on Thursday in Bissen.
