Google is set to invest 500 million euros in an expansion of their data centre at the Eemshaven.
By Marieke Bos / Translation by Traci White
According to a statement from Google on Thursday, infrastructure expansion is necessary at their data centres because of growing demand for Google’s services from consumers and companies.
Tech hub
Google reports that they have invested 950 million euros in the region in recent years. Adding in the projected investment announced today brings that total investment closer to 1.5 billion euros.
Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Eric Wiebes was present during the announcement at the data centre at the Eemshaven on Thursday. Wiebes said that Google’s investment shows that Groningen has a lot to offer, citing renewable energy resources, a highly educated local population and excellent IT connectivity. “The presence of this data centre makes the region more attractive to other international technology companies,” Wiebes said.
Gmail, Google Maps and YouTube
The Google data centre at the Eemshaven opened in 2016. Since then, 2,200 jobs in affiliated industries – construction, security, IT, electronics and mechanics – have been added to the region. The data centre, which enables Google services such as Gmail, Google Maps and YouTube, employs 250 people.
