Eurofiber to Host Sustainable AI Factory for SURF

Today SURF has awarded the contract for the delivery of HPC (high-performance computing) data center services for the Dutch AI Factory to Eurofiber Cloud Infra. The AI Factory, located in Groningen, will become the Netherlands' first large-scale AI factory, providing researchers, educational institutions, government organizations, and businesses with access to advanced AI infrastructure hosted on Dutch soil. At the same time, it will be one of the most sustainable data center facilities in the Netherlands: residual heat from the facility will be used to heat approximately 2,000 homes in Groningen, its cooling systems require no water, and its design, together with agreements with grid operators, helps prevent grid congestion.

The AI Factory marks an important step in the development of Dutch and European AI infrastructure. AI factories leverage the supercomputing capacity of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) to develop trustworthy, advanced generative AI models. By bringing together high-performance computing power, reliable data sources, and specialized expertise, the facility will enable organizations to develop new AI applications in areas such as healthcare, the energy transition, mobility, security, and education. At the same time, it strengthens the digital sovereignty of the Netherlands and Europe by providing an alternative that aligns with European values of transparency, collaboration, security, and control over data.

Sustainability by Design
Sustainability has been a core design principle from the very beginning. Eurofiber's design supports direct cooling of AI processors, eliminating the need for potable or surface water to cool the installation. Nearly all excess heat generated by the facility will be reused through thermal energy recovery and supplied to the WarmteStad district heating network in Groningen, providing heat for approximately 2,000 homes and reducing CO₂ emissions by around 85%.

These measures result in a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) significantly lower than that of conventional data centers. In addition, the facility has been designed in close cooperation with the regional grid operator to avoid placing additional strain on the electricity grid and to actively contribute to mitigating grid congestion. This includes the deployment of battery energy storage systems and other congestion-reducing measures.

Strategic Investment in Sovereign AI
Hans Louwhoff, Member of the Executive Board of SURF: "The development of artificial intelligence requires advanced computing power, reliable data, and specialized expertise. With the AI Factory, we are creating a national resource that enables researchers, educational institutions, governments, and businesses to develop AI applications aligned with our public values. In doing so, we strengthen not only innovation but also our digital sovereignty. Sustainability was a non-negotiable requirement from the outset of this project. Eurofiber's design demonstrates that large-scale AI infrastructure can go hand in hand with responsible energy use."

Setting a New Standard for Future Data Centers
Elisabeth Hankeln, Managing Director of Eurofiber Cloud Infra: "This project brings together two worlds that are often viewed separately: the explosive growth of AI and the urgent need to make our digital infrastructure more sustainable. At Eurofiber, we have invested for years in innovations related to energy efficiency, heat recovery, and the intelligent integration of data centers into the energy system. Through this project for SURF, we have the opportunity to bring all of that knowledge and experience together. It gives us a unique opportunity to deliver an AI facility that ranks among the industry's leaders in sustainability and energy efficiency, while setting a new benchmark for future data centers."

A Milestone for the Netherlands
The AI Factory will provide the Netherlands with large-scale AI infrastructure specifically designed for the development, training, and deployment of advanced AI models within a Dutch and European context. The combination of digital sovereignty, scientific innovation, and exceptional sustainability makes this project unique in the Netherlands.

The AI Factory will be housed in Eurofiber's existing data center in Groningen. The facility is scheduled for completion during 2027, with the AI supercomputer expected to be fully operational in early 2028.