- Type-specific approach and strategic expansion of capacities expressly welcomed
- Strategy as a “reliable framework” strengthens investment security
- Unresolved issues regarding energy infrastructure and “grid-friendly” operation
- Local involvement and inter-municipal compensation still unclear
- Data centre register regarded as significant progress
Frankfurt am Main, 27 March 2026 – The Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany, under the umbrella of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, welcomes the key points of the Hesse data centre strategy presented on 26 March 2026 by the Hesse Ministry of Digitalisation and Innovation in Frankfurt am Main as an important impetus for the further development of Hesse as a digital hub. In particular, the industry views the commitment to a strategically managed expansion of data centre capacities as a positive signal for the economy and investors.
“The commitment to a strategic expansion of data centre capacities is a clear and correct signal. Particularly positive is the type-specific approach, which considers different types of data centres separately and thus contributes to greater resilience and efficiency,” explains Dr Béla Waldhauser, spokesperson for the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany. The association also regards the planned establishment of a state-wide land and potential register for data centres as a sensible building block for more systematic and efficient location planning. In the eco podcast “Das Ohr am Netz” on 18 March 2026, Hesse’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Prof. Dr Kristina Sinemus, already emphasised the importance of clear site planning as one of the central pillars of the strategy.
Need for clarification regarding energy infrastructure and local authority framework conditions
At the same time, the Alliance sees a need for clarification in several areas. In particular, the concept of “grid-friendly” operation remains unclear to date.
“The greater integration of data centres into the energy system is fundamentally correct. However, it is currently not sufficiently defined what specific requirements this entails for operators. Clear and practicable guidelines are needed here,” emphasises Waldhauser.
The Alliance sees a clear need for improvement, particularly regarding energy infrastructure. Although the strategy identifies the integration of data centres into existing electricity and heating systems as a key area for action, it fails to provide concrete details on the necessary expansion of the electricity grids.
In the eco podcast ‘Das Ohr am Netz’ from 18 March 2026, the integration of data centres into existing grids is highlighted as a central element of Minister Sinemus’s strategy. At the same time, the reality in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region shows that existing electricity grids are already reaching their limits.
“If the expansion of energy infrastructure is not consistently taken into account, this will remain a key bottleneck for growth. Even now, the greater Frankfurt region has insufficient electricity capacity available for further data centres,” says Waldhauser.
Another key point is the role of local authorities. Whilst the strategy highlights their importance and is intended to complement the national data centre strategy with a stronger focus on local conditions, it remains unclear how cooperation is to be structured in practice – particularly with regard to the planned inter-municipal compensation.
“The local level is crucial for the successful implementation of the strategy. Open questions regarding the design of compensation mechanisms and concrete cooperation should be clarified promptly in order to ensure planning certainty and local acceptance,” says Dr Béla Waldhauser.
Current developments, such as the rejection of data centre projects, for example in Groß-Gerau, underscore the importance of clear and reliable framework conditions from the Alliance’s perspective.
“Data centres are the backbone of digital transformation and a key factor for competitiveness and digital sovereignty. Anyone wishing to secure the digital future must also enable the necessary infrastructure – and create the right framework conditions to do so,” Waldhauser concluded.
About the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany
The Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany is an association of leading companies in the sector and was founded in 2018 under the umbrella of eco – Association of the Internet Industry e. V. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of the importance of digital infrastructures for Germany as a business location through dialogue with policymakers and the public.
Podcast “Das Ohr am Netz” with Digital Minister Sinemus
Alliance commentary on the national DC strategy
