Developer plans to build huge data center near Poland’s first nuclear power plant

A huge data center for artificial intelligence will be built near Poland’s first nuclear power plant. The developer plans to build the project in four phases, with total power demand of up to 3.2 GW. Preparatory work is expected to be completed next year, and the first phase is due to come online within 3 years. Before the nuclear power plant is completed, with its first unit set to begin generating electricity within 10 years, the data center will rely on supplies from other power plants, including renewable energy sources.

Polish developer WBS Power has announced plans to build the huge Baltic Data Centre Campus in Pomerania, with expected power demand of up to 3.2 GW. The project, divided into four 800 MW phases, includes data center infrastructure primarily for artificial intelligence workloads, as well as energy infrastructure to use renewable energy sources and battery systems to store the power they generate.

“This will be the largest project of its kind in Poland and one of the largest in Europe,” said Maciej Marcjanik, CEO of WBS Power.

According to the developer, the chosen location is advantageous in terms of security of supply and connections to various sources of electricity. WBS Power plans to complete preparatory work for the entire project by the end of 2027. The company aims to have the first part of the data center operational within the next 3 years.

“This is a natural step in our growth strategy, enabling us to draw on the expertise and market experience we have built up over many years. We are building infrastructure that will support the next phase of the global digital transformation,” said Hubert Bojdo, CFO of WBS Power.

In addition to the site in Poland, the company is also working on a 500 MW data center in Finsterwalde, Germany.

Energy from a nuclear power plant

WBS Power says it has secured grid connection terms for all 4 phases of the data center. Once completed, the nearby first Polish nuclear power plant will also ensure stable electricity supplies. 

“The rapid development of artificial intelligence is increasing demand for hyperscale data centers backed by advanced infrastructure and reliable access to large volumes of energy. Integrating renewable energy sources and energy storage with digital infrastructure will be a key pillar of competitiveness for next-generation hyperscale projects,” Marcjanik added.

Polish company PEJ recently submitted an application for a construction permit for the nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site. The plant is planned to have 3 AP1000 nuclear units supplied by US company Westinghouse. Its total installed capacity will reach 3.75 GW. PEJ expects to commission the first Polish nuclear unit in 2036, with the others to follow at one-year intervals.