Data center construction sparks environmental protests in Swiss canton

In Beringen, a municipality in Switzerland's northernmost canton of Schaffhausen, a significant debate is unfolding over the construction of a massive data center. The project, spearheaded by the American firm Stack Infrastructure, has become a focal point of local contention due to its substantial environmental footprint.

Set to become operational by early 2028, the facility will occupy nearly 18,000 square meters. Its operational demands are staggering: it will nearly double the electricity consumption of the entire canton and require 36 megawatts of computing power. Furthermore, the cooling systems for its servers will draw an amount of water equivalent to the annual consumption of 344 households, utilizing an adiabatic system that does not exchange heat with the environment.

The scale of the project has alarmed residents, who are concerned about the strain on local resources. The prospect of such a significant increase in electricity usage and water draw has ignited widespread protest and debate within the community. This opposition highlights a growing tension between the demand for digital infrastructure and the imperative of environmental sustainability.

The data center's projected impact on Beringen's energy and water resources has made it a battleground for environmental concerns. As Switzerland grapples with its energy transition and climate goals, projects like Stack Infrastructure's data center raise critical questions about the true cost of digital expansion and the need for careful consideration of local impacts.