Data Center Construction Shifts to CLT in Sweden and Germany Amid Local Resistance
The construction of data centers is under scrutiny, with 25 projects in the U.S. canceled due to local opposition in 2025. In Europe, concerns over energy consumption and sustainability are rising, particularly in Germany where protests against hyperscale data centers are notable.
The industry is exploring cross-laminated timber (CLT) as a sustainable building material, which offers advantages such as reduced energy needs for cooling and faster construction times. The market for green data centers in Germany is expected to expand from $2.88 billion in 2024 to $12.02 billion by 2032, driven by increased regulatory pressures and societal expectations for sustainability.
