KRONSTORF, Austria — April 23, 2026 — Google today announced the construction of a data center in Kronstorf, Austria, to meet growing demand for Google’s digital services and AI capabilities. The facility will be equipped to support off-site heat recovery and feature a green roof with solar panels. Google also announced a new fund to improve the water ecosystem of the local Enns river, as well as the creation of an information center in Kronstorf for the community to learn more about Google’s digital infrastructure, economic contributions, and sustainability efforts. In addition, Google announced an AI skilling fund with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
Once completed, the facility will generate 100 direct jobs, and thousands more through construction, suppliers, and local businesses, placing Upper Austria on the global map of cutting-edge digital infrastructure. Google's continued investment in technical infrastructure in Europe, including its data centers, plays an essential role in powering popular digital services used by people across the continent every day, such as Search, YouTube, Maps, and Workspace, as well as extending its AI capabilities.
Local water investments and heat recovery-ready
Google operates the most energy-efficient data centers in the world, with an ambition to run on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE), every hour of every day, on every grid where it operates. Google aims to directly support Austrian decarbonization goals and to contribute to a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system for everyone.
The new facility in Kronstorf will be ready for off-site heat recovery. Once an offtaker is identified, heat can be provided free of charge to eligible partners to support the decarbonization of local heat sources. Capturing data center heat represents an opportunity for energy conservation, and locally contributes to the energy transition. The facility will also be equipped with a green roof with solar panels which will directly contribute clean energy to help power the data center.
Google’s climate-conscious approach to cooling data centers prioritizes minimizing net climate impact and using natural resources responsibly, both today and in the future. Beyond its operations, Google aims to replenish more freshwater than it consumes by 2030 and is collaborating to improve local watershed health. In Kronstorf, Google is setting up a fund to improve the water ecosystem of the local Enns river together with the Upper Austrian Fisheries Association.
Connecting with the community
Google is currently developing an information center in Kronstorf, where the community and the wider region can discuss and learn about digital infrastructure and its contributions to Austria’s society and economy. The information center will also showcase Google’s sustainability efforts.
Investing in AI skills for Austria
With today’s groundbreaking, Google also announced a multi-year collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (FH OÖ), focused on building an ongoing curriculum and certifications for students who want to learn AI upskilling.
Google has been present in Austria with a local office since 2006 and, through its cloud platform and advertising network, has supported tens of thousands of Austrian businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators, and developers.
Equipping people and businesses in Austria with the knowledge and skills to use modern technologies is paramount. Since 2014, Google has trained more than 140,000 individuals in the country, including students, educators, small business owners, and developers, underscoring its commitment to making digital skills accessible to all.
Statements
Thomas Stelzer, Governor of Upper Austria: “Google’s decision to build in Kronstorf is a powerful signal for Upper Austria as a hub for business and innovation. It demonstrates that Upper Austria is internationally sought-after, competitive, reliable, and forward-looking. This investment creates jobs, strengthens our digital infrastructure, and provides additional momentum to our AI and innovation strategy. Our goal is clear: we do not just want to use the technologies of tomorrow; we want to develop them right here and secure long-term value creation.”
Markus Achleitner, State Minister for Economic Affairs: “Google’s arrival in Kronstorf is a clear validation of Upper Austria's forward-thinking location policy. In close cooperation with local municipalities, this policy ensures that commercial zones are available at the required scale. The fact that we secured suitable land early on is what enables us to successfully realize such future-oriented investments today. Google is further driving the expansion of digital infrastructure in our region, creating jobs, boosting regional value creation, and bringing future technologies directly to the people. This strengthens Upper Austria not only as a business location but as a place to live where innovation creates tangible opportunities and perspectives. In particular, the planned cooperation with the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences will expand our province’s educational offerings in the field of digital skills.”
Christian Kolarik, Mayor of Kronstorf and Head of Municipal Association INKOBA Kronstorf-Hargelsberg: “This collaboration paves the way for the future. Through cooperation between the municipalities of Kronstorf and Hargelsberg, together with the State of Upper Austria, the Kronstorf site was able to prevail in global competition. When one of the world’s most valuable brands chooses to locate here, it speaks volumes about Upper Austria as a place to work and do business, and about our region. Right on the doorstep of Kronstorf and Hargelsberg, in addition to the upgrade of the power supply for the State’s capital city Linz and voest by Austrian Power Grid, as well as the construction of the new distribution center for an international drugstore chain, Google is now also investing in the future. Since 2008, we have been working together to develop the site responsibly. For this reason, all decisions regarding the establishment of the site were made unanimously. In short: Kronstorf/Hargelsberg connects in various ways.”
Christoph Lichtenauer, Mayor of Hargelsberg, Deputy Head of Municipal AssociationINBOKA Kronstorf-Hargelsberg: Together, Kronstorf and Hargelsberg stand for strong regional cooperation and a shared vision for sustainable growth. Google’s investment is a milestone for our communities and for the entire region. It brings high-quality jobs, strengthens our local economy, and positions us as an important hub for digital innovation in Upper Austria. Especially important to me is the project’s clear commitment to sustainability and regional cooperation. Initiatives such as responsible and efficient usage of energy and local environmental investments demonstrate that economic progress and ecological responsibility can successfully go together.
Werner Pamminger, Managing Director Business Upper Austria: When entrepreneurial projects meet reliable location partnerships, sustainable investments become possible. A high-performance digital infrastructure is a key competitive factor today. Data centers in close proximity ensure low latency and stable connections – and thus fast, reliable IT services that our economy depends on. As a location agency, we actively supported and assisted Google in preparing this investment project. Today's groundbreaking ceremony marks an important milestone in our collaboration.
Richard Egger, Chairman of the Enns-Linz Fishery District, as a representative of the Upper Austrian State Fishery Association: “We look forward to working in partnership with Google on the river initiative. With the grant, we can sustainably shape and improve the habitat for our fish in the Enns River."
Christine Antlanger-Winter, Country Director Google Switzerland & Regional Senior Director Alpine: “I’m pleased to announce Google’s first investment in a data center in Austria. This will give businesses, public institutions, and people throughout Austria even better access to our technology, thus supporting the digital transformation. It also underscores our long-term vision for Europe, demonstrating a deep commitment to accelerating regional innovation through strategic investment.”
Google is actively hiring for the data center in Kronstorf and has several open positions, including data center facility technicians, mechanical engineers and program managers: https://goo.gle/KronstorfHiring
For more information on Google’s data centers, visit https://datacenters.google/.