Alexander Rabe, Managing Director of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, comments on the draft of the National Data Centre Strategy on behalf of the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany:
“We expressly welcome the fact that the BMDS (German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation) has taken up key points of criticism and demands from the industry and addressed them in the present, still unofficial version of a data centre strategy. The draft data centre strategy of January 2026 reflects many of the approaches that the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany has advocated, such as the revision of grid connection allocation, the enabling of free waste heat disposal and a revision of the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG). In addition to the closer integration of data centres into the energy system and the upgrading of data centre capacities for AI and research, there should be a greater focus on strengthening the entire ecosystem of digital infrastructures, which also includes Internet exchange points such as DE-CIX.
“Many of the measures listed merely reflect the announcements of the coalition agreement; what will now be decisive is the concrete implementation. The revised allocation procedure for grid connections at the transmission level should focus on a clear ‘first ready, first serve’ approach so that projects that are ready for implementation can actually be connected to the grid more quickly. The same applies to the planned priority areas for data centres, which can only function in close cooperation with municipalities, federal states and grid operators.
“With regard to electricity prices, the strategy also points in the right direction, but there is a lack of concrete measures and a reliable timeframe for creating internationally competitive framework conditions.
“From the industry’s perspective, it is also important that the strategy creates a stable investment foundation and avoids national solo approaches. Particularly in the context of the Energy Efficiency Act, a clear target vision is needed. The announced ‘more pragmatic design’ of efficiency requirements – for example, in terms of PUE – is fundamentally welcome, but so far remains vague. It will be crucial to develop these points in a timely, practical and EU-compatible manner so that sustainability, competitiveness and European digital sovereignty are strengthened together.”
