Schwarz Group Plans Huge Data Center Near Rostock

August 28, 2026

Source: E & M powernews

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the Schwarz Group are planning a 240 MW data center in Dummerstorf near Rostock. A total of 5.6 billion euros is expected to be invested in the project by 2033.

The companies of the Schwarz Group and the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have agreed to a partnership for the expansion of digital infrastructure. The focus is on a planned data center in Dummerstorf near Rostock and the joint development of digital solutions for public administration. This was announced by Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) and Gerd Chrzanowski, general partner of the Schwarz Group, on August 27, 2026, in Schwerin.

The companies of the Schwarz Group estimate that investments in the data center will total approximately 5.6 billion euros by 2033. The facility is initially expected to reach a capacity of 240 MW. In the long term, the partners see the potential to expand the connected load to 1,000 MW by 2045. The project is contingent upon obtaining the usual permits. According to those involved, the project is still in its early stages.

The capacity is intended to be available both for the Schwarz Group’s own ecosystem and for the development and scaling of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions. Schwarz aims to position itself as a European alternative to providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft.

These activities will be consolidated under Schwarz Digits, the IT and digital division of the Schwarz Group. According to those involved, the goal of the partnership is to provide digital applications and infrastructure in accordance with German law, thereby strengthening digital sovereignty in Germany and Europe.

Connection to the Extra-High-Voltage Grid Planned

A plot of land in the industrial park of the municipality of Dummerstorf is planned as the site. According to the project partners, the region offers good conditions for supplying the data center with renewable electricity. In northern Germany, electricity from onshore and offshore wind energy, among other sources, is available.

At the planned site, there is also the possibility of connecting the data center to the 380-kV extra-high-voltage grid. According to the companies, this high voltage level enables the efficient transmission of large amounts of electricity and can reduce grid fees compared to lower voltage levels.

The plans also take local conditions into account for cooling. The climate in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is expected to enable efficient free cooling using ambient air. During regular operation, the data center is to use only electricity from renewable energy sources.

Waste Heat Utilization Included

In addition, the partners plan to utilize the waste heat generated. According to project participants, a letter of intent has already been signed with Stadtwerke Rostock regarding the purchase of the heat. Stadtwerke Rostock intends to use the waste heat for the regional district heating supply.

The specific technical requirements have not yet been fully determined. These include, among other things, the exact composition of the chips required for cloud and AI applications. The planned investment volume of approximately 5.6 billion euros is based on the initially planned capacity of 240 MW.

Gerd Chrzanowski, general partner of the Schwarz Group, explained that digital sovereignty arises from infrastructure and practical applications. The Schwarz Group aims to assume corporate responsibility in this regard and invest in Germany’s digital infrastructure.

Cooperation with Politicians

According to her own statements, Minister President Schwesig views the project as a step toward greater independence from foreign data center, cloud, and AI providers. “Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can benefit from this investment both economically and in terms of infrastructure,” she told reporters. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania currently covers more than half of its electricity consumption with wind energy. In purely mathematical terms, the state actually produces significantly more wind energy than it consumes in electricity.

The partners also aim to make the developed solutions available beyond Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to their statements, the projects are intended to serve as transferable models for the digitization of public administration in Germany.
In addition to the data center, the partnership encompasses the digitization of the state administration.

According to their own statements, the state government and Schwarz Digits plan to implement the first applications as early as 2026. This includes a digital building permit system on the sovereign cloud platform Stackit. In addition, the OpenDesk software is to be introduced, initially with fully managed and secure workstations for teachers.

Author: Susanne Harmsen