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.

The new financing platform replaces Eurofiber’s existing €1.5 billion financing and comprises significant undrawn committed debt facilities. The transaction was strongly supported by a broad group of banks and institutional investors.

The refinancing provides Eurofiber with a diversified funding structure with investment-grade characteristics and access to multiple sources of liquidity, including, over time, the capital markets.

The transaction is structured as a Sustainability-Linked Loan aligned with the latest LMA Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles. It includes annual ESG targets and a margin adjustment mechanism linked to three key performance indicators: reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Science Based Targets initiative methodology, introducing a circularity KPI and increasing gender diversity across the workforce.

The refinancing underlines Eurofiber’s strong position as a trusted provider of open digital infrastructure across Europe. As demand for secure, resilient and scalable connectivity continues to grow, the new financing platform gives Eurofiber additional flexibility to invest in its fiber networks, expand its cloud infrastructure services and continue delivering customer-driven innovation in its core markets.

“This refinancing confirms the strength of Eurofiber’s business model and the confidence of our financing partners in our long-term strategy. The new platform provides a diversified and scalable capital structure that supports our investment plans, enhances our financial flexibility and positions us well for continued growth in Europe’s digital infrastructure market,” said Alex Goldblum, CEO of Eurofiber.

BNP Paribas and Rothschild & Co acted as financial advisors and Clifford Chance as legal advisors to Eurofiber, Antin Infrastructure Partners and PGGM Infrastructure Fund in connection with the refinancing.

Beyond complying with the VSME framework, Eurofiber obtained independent AA1000AS-based assurance from FIRA Sustainability, positioning the company among the few organizations leading the way in transparent and independently verified VSME reporting. 

In applying the VSME framework, Eurofiber aims to further structure its sustainability disclosures and improve the consistency of ESG data, while providing stakeholders with clearer insight into its activities and impact. 

Jeroen Kanselaar, ESG Lead at Eurofiber: “At Eurofiber, we believe that sustainable growth should benefit not only our organization, but also our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities we serve. As a provider of critical digital infrastructure, we have a responsibility to make reliable, resilient and responsible choices, and to be transparent about the impact of those choices. 

We also see sustainability playing an increasingly important role in conversations with customers and stakeholders, with growing demand for reliable ESG data and greater transparency throughout the value chain. By aligning this year's report with the VSME framework, we have taken an important step towards more structured and consistent sustainability reporting.” 

Continued progress across our ESG priorities 

Alongside its efforts to strengthen transparency and reporting, Eurofiber continued to make progress across its ESG priorities in 2025. Jeroen Kanselaar adds: ‘While there is always more work to do, we are very proud of the results we have achieved as a company and in collaboration with our partners across our supply chain.’ 

Key milestones in the ESG report 2025 include: 

• Climate: Eurofiber remains on track with its Science Based Targets, with continued reductions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and the achievement of 100% renewable purchased electricity in 2025
• Energy: In 2025, electricity purchased by Eurofiber in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany was 100% renewable
• Circularity: 970 modems were returned, with 411 refurbished and reused
• Supply chain engagement: 52 key suppliers were assessed via EcoVadis, achieving an average score of 70.4
• Innovation: Ongoing investments in quantum-safe solutions and sustainable data infrastructure
• Diversity and Inclusion: Female representation in senior management increased from 19% in 2024 to 22% in 2025, alongside continued investments in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, employee development, wellbeing and community engagement 

The Eurofiber ESG Report 2025 is available here.  

Andrea Kraus, Eurofiber Chief Revenue Officer, says: “Inter-organizational women’s networks are advantageous because they allow women to be vulnerable, share advice and put issues into perspective.” Adding to that, “RightBrains also provides training and development, and a hands-on approach to searching for and pursuing mentorship opportunities within the confines of a safe, industry-specific network.”

Eurofiber will host the RightBrains grand mentoring finale at the Eurofiber offices in Maarssen later this year.

Geke Rosier, founder of RightBrains, adds: “We are looking forward to Eurofiber bringing their knowledge, experience, and expertise to our community as mentors, educators, and collaborators. It is only when we collectively agree to make a difference, we can start seeing a difference!”

Eurofiber received the award for the EUR 1.5 billion debt facilities, which were placed in June 2022. The facilities and the related hedging have sustainability incentives in alignment with Eurofiber’s sustainability program, which includes, among other things, measures that will lead to a 50% CO2 reduction by 2025, furthering the company’s stated goal to be 100% climate proof by 2030, as well as measures regarding gender balance.

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"We are very pleased and proud of this award. It is a recognition from the market of our right strategic direction in which we integrate our sustainability program with the rapid fiber roll-out in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany," said CFO Edze Tollenaar.