Dutch government holds off land sale for Meta’s proposed data center
The project was put on hold due to political opposition
• The project was put on hold due to political opposition
The Dutch government will not yet sell land in the city of Zeewolde to Facebook owner Meta, Reuters reported on Friday, citing remarks by the country's housing minister.
The Dutch farming community of Zeewolde had approved an enormous data center for Meta, in December 2021. The data center was to be powered completely by clean energy until the project was put on hold due to political opposition.
Opposed by the masses
The Dutch government initially sought to attract foreign investment in data centers, but public opinion has turned against them for their perceived disproportionate use of renewable energy.
A motion was earlier passed in the Dutch parliament which said the project would impose a “heavy burden on energy supplies, fertile agricultural land, and scarce fresh water supplies,” by a vote of 82 to 68. Soon after, Meta issued a statement emphasizing its focus on maintaining good relations with residents.
ANP reported that housing minister, Hugo de Jonge, said the company had not met the conditions to use the land.
Source - Reuters
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