Concerns raised over the energy consumption of planned hyperscaler in Topusko

During the recent Three Seas Initiative summit and economic forum in Dubrovnik, a series of contracts were signed, including one for the construction of a hyperscale data center in the town of Topusko in Sisak-Moslavina County.

Following the recent signing of a contract for the construction of a €50 billion hyperscale data center in the town of Topusko in Sisak-Moslavina County by the American investment group Pantheon Atlas, concerns have been raised that the data center will require so much power, that it could threaten the county's electricity supply.

Deputy Prime Minister and Construction, Spatial Planning and State Property Minister, Branko Bačić, was asked to comment on these concerns on Thursday: "In the project implementation plan, the investor will need to specify the total energy consumption and sources of energy required for the functioning of the data center. They have received the support of the Croatian Government, and an agreement was signed at the Three Seas summit in Dubrovnik. However, for its implementation, a series of studies and preliminary steps will be required in order to start its implementation."

There are also legitimate fears that the new demand for electricity could force prices higher in one of the poorest counties in the country.

Hyperscale data centers are known to consume massive amounts of electricity, with a single facility often requiring 20 – 100+ MW of power. This is enough to supply up to 75 000 homes.

Source: HRT