Netherlands Learns from Secret Data Center Deal Failure: "Communication Is Key to Resolving Conflict" [How to Coexist in the AIDC Era] (16)

Lessons Learned From Past Conflicts:
From Discord to Coexistence

"Secretive Decision-Making Provokes Citizen Backlash, As the Netherlands Also Experienced"

Bas Herechen, Economic Policy Advisor of the Sustainable Economy Department of North Holland Province, Netherlands, was interviewed by The Asia Business Daily on the 23rd of last month (local time). Photo by Sojeong Seo.

"The cancellation of Meta’s large-scale data center project in Zeewolde in 2023 left us with a considerable lesson: pushing forward plans behind closed doors will provoke strong opposition from citizens."

Bas Herechen, Economic Policy Advisor of the Sustainable Economy Department of North Holland Province, Netherlands, said in a recent interview with The Asia Business Daily, "There is clear evidence that promoting large-scale projects in a non-transparent manner leads, not to winning the support of local residents, but to suspicion and strong resistance."

He explained that it has become clear that transparent, advance disclosure of information is essential before building a data center; if stakeholders are not fully informed and involved, it becomes impossible to carry out such projects. In line with this, the Dutch government has established ‘sustainable location guidelines’ that go beyond legal requirements to encourage transparent communication with the local community instead of maintaining secrecy. He added that, since there are ongoing concerns about data centers’ massive land usage, high energy consumption, and water usage depleting the area’s landscape and resources, the government is making efforts to objectively communicate both the advantages and disadvantages of data centers to the public.

Herechen also confirmed that, following the spread of generative AI, attempts to build 25MW-class AI factories or 200MW-class AI gigafactories across the Netherlands are being hampered by severe grid congestion nationwide. At present, only one or two locations—such as the Port of Rotterdam and Eemshaven—are suitable to accommodate such large-scale AI data centers.

Given these limitations, the Dutch government is prioritizing sustainability, spatial integration, and efficient energy use rather than just scaling up capacity. Herechen stated, "We have provided 70 million euros in support for the construction of a 25MW-class AI factory in the Groningen region, as part of a project currently totaling about 200 million euros." He added, "We are also accelerating the speed at which new transmission and distribution infrastructure is being built." "A collaborative energy hub solution is being promoted, in which grid operators, local governments, and private sector companies cooperate to directly exchange power within the region and resolve energy needs in a distributed manner," he explained.

Herechen believes that optimal energy sources vary according to each country’s renewable energy potential. In this context, he said, "In regions where a sustainable supply of renewable energy is not feasible, small modular reactors (SMRs) could be a practical alternative." Over the next five years, he cited energy availability and the stable supply of high-performance AI chipsets and processors as the two core factors that will determine the success or failure of the AI data center industry.

On South Korea’s plan to build gigawatt-scale AI data centers, he advised, "Any potential delays must be avoided by ensuring grid capacity and integrating local urban planning from the site selection stage. Beyond merely expanding facility (GW) capacity, it is crucial to establish a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply system." He added, "Ensuring flexibility and transparency is also a key challenge. Consensus should be built by openly disclosing the potential benefits and impacts to local residents and stakeholders from the very beginning of the project."

This special feature was funded by the Press Promotion Fund, supported through government advertising fees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.