Apr 23, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Google has broken ground on its data center development in Kronstorf, Austria. The facility will be the company’s first self-built and owned data center in the country. Set to span 42,000 sqm (452,000 sq ft) on a 70-hectare site in central Austria, Google received planning permission for the project earlier this year—some 18 years after acquiring the land.
Of the 42,000 sqm site, 29,000 sqm (312,155 sq ft) will be dedicated to data center space. Groundwork has been underway since at least August 2025. Google first announced plans for an Austrian cloud region in 2022. According to the company, the facility will be designed to support off-site heat recovery. Once a suitable offtaker is identified, excess heat could be provided free of charge to eligible partners to help decarbonize local heating systems.
Thomas Stelzer, Governor of Upper Austria, said: “Google’s decision to build in Kronstorf is a powerful signal for Upper Austria as a hub for business and innovation. It demonstrates that Upper Austria is internationally sought-after, competitive, reliable, and forward-looking. This investment creates jobs, strengthens our digital infrastructure, and provides additional momentum to our AI and innovation strategy. Our goal is clear: we do not just want to use the technologies of tomorrow; we want to develop them right here and secure long-term value creation.”
