Minister of the Economy Etienne Schneider has now provided the answers the opposition has long sought. Specifying that the memorandum of understanding details an intention to collaborate, the minister highlighted that it is not a legally binding contract.
The document includes the condition that, in case the the process is taking too long for Google, the internet giant can withdraw from the project and request that the state repurchase the land. The agreement also stipulates that any resale is fixed at the original price as neither party should make a profit. If the state also decides to renege on the agreement due to delays, it can request that Google sell the land back.
Schneider also previously revealed that if the data centre does not go ahead, the plot will be earmarked for an activity zone in Bissen. As for the municipal council's request for further information on the water usage and traffic caused by the data centre, Schneider explained that he had discussed the cooling water with Minister for the Environment Carole Dieschbourg on Wednesday.
Instead of taking water from the Alzette river for the centre's cooling system, the authorities have proposed using water from Mersch's water treatment plant, which could account for 90% of the centre's use. This, Schneider added, abides by the principle of a circular economy. However, there are contingencies drawn up for emergencies, in which case water would be drawn from SEBES, the syndicate for the water from the Esch-sur-Sûre dam.
170 complaints: Bissen municipality flooded with complaints against Google data centre
