Since 2016, the municipality of Bissen has been at the centre of discussions about potentially hosting a Google data centre. While the project is making slow progress, a major step was taken on Monday 13 January when the local council, chaired by mayor David Viaggi (Är Leit), approved the special development plan (PAP).

Despite financial commitments, the mayor is cautious: “We have set the general framework. Now Google needs to clarify what will be built. Indeed, the absence of a building permit still raises questions about whether the project will actually be carried out.”

However, the adoption of the PAP paves the way for preparatory work and confirms the commitment of Google, which has already signed an agreement providing for an investment of €13.5m to finance the necessary infrastructure, including road access and network connections.

In addition to the €13.5m earmarked for infrastructure, Google will also pay for an agricultural access path, estimated at €1.5m. These investments, which will be maintained even if the project is abandoned, reflect a serious interest on the part of the California firm.

Environmental concerns

However, the project is raising concerns, particularly from an environmental point of view. In a press release, the NGO Mouvement écologique (Ecological Movement) stressed the challenges associated with water management on the site. The association pointed out that "construction cannot begin until environmental permits have been obtained, which have not yet been granted". The estimated figures show a daily consumption of 51m³ of fresh water during the construction phase, before dropping to 11m³ once the data centre is operational.

"The municipality of Bissen has a responsibility not to present its citizens with a fait accompli", said the association, calling on the aldermen to be more transparent.

Read the original French-language version of this news report /