A wave of protests against energy-guzzling and water-intensive AI data centers has swept across the EU, with thousands demanding a halt to new projects over their environmental impact.
Brussels is pushing to at least triple the bloc’s data center capacity within five to seven years. First announced in April 2025, the target was reinforced this June with proposed legislation to fast-track construction by easing permits and access to land, energy, and water.
The two-day campaign, organized by the Stop Dirty Data Centres coalition, brought together more than 100 groups demanding a moratorium on large-scale projects. Activists warn that the facilities could compete with homes and businesses for electricity and water, drive up energy bills, and strain infrastructure. They also cite AI-related risks, including job losses, mass surveillance, and mental health problems.
In France, protesters marched through the northern Pas-de-Calais Department on Saturday to oppose a massive data center planned near Corbehem and Brebieres. Similar demonstrations were planned in Paris and the Marseille area.
In Finland, around 1,300 people marched through Helsinki according to police, passing Google’s offices before gathering outside parliament. Protests also took place in five other cities over electricity consumption, deforestation and weak regulation.
In Berlin, activists rallied outside data centers on Friday with banners reading ‘Data centers? No thank you!’ Environmental groups also held a conference the next day to discuss resistance to new projects.
In Amsterdam, hundreds stormed a Microsoft data center construction site on Friday, cutting through fences, climbing cranes and clashing with riot police. Police detained 218 people, who were all released the following day, Dutch media reported. One officer sustained minor injuries, while the authorities reported property damage and suspected theft.
The campaign also reached the UK, with actions organized in London, Reading, and Northern Ireland. Another protest is planned in Edinburgh on November 14.
The demonstrations were planned weeks earlier but gained momentum after the US midterms, according to industry publication DatacenterDynamics. Candidates opposing data center expansion scored victories, while voters in several areas approved construction restrictions.
Ahead of the protests, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen defended building more facilities but told Reuters that they must not drive up electricity bills, cause blackouts, or harm the environment.