Hohenems data centre could boost independence, but energy questions remain

A planned data centre in Hohenems-Unterklien could give Vorarlberg businesses greater digital independence, while its energy needs and waste heat require scrutiny, ORF reported.

Andreas Pichler, head of the computer science programme at Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, said the project could benefit the region and its economy. He said businesses increasingly seek “digital sovereignty” and want to reduce their dependence on US technology companies, particularly given geopolitical developments.

Sharing a data centre could also reduce costs, Pichler said. Many companies in Vorarlberg currently operate their own facilities and spend heavily on IT infrastructure. Centralising that infrastructure for shared use could make it more efficient and potentially cheaper.

The centre is planned for a disused quarry rather than undeveloped land. Katharina Lins, a nature conservation advocate, said reusing the site could make sense, but the project’s wider effects need to be assessed.

Lins said the centre’s energy demand should be examined closely, including the possibility of supply shortages in winter. She also questioned what would happen to waste heat in summer, noting that wastewater from other data centres can be very warm and heat the surrounding area.

It remains unclear whether the project will require an environmental impact assessment, which would make the approval process significantly more complex.