Microsoft Cologne INKA Data Center Campus Bergheim terra nova Industrial Park Germany

Status: Under Construction Phase (Groundbreaking Q1 2026)   |   Location: Industrial Park INKA:terra nova, 50126 Bergheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Project Overview

The Microsoft Cologne – INKA Data Center Campus, located within the INKA nova Industrial Park in Bergheim, west of Cologne in Germany’s Rhein-Erft-Kreis district, represents a major hyperscale expansion of Microsoft’s German digital infrastructure footprint. Developed on converted industrial land within the Rhineland lignite phase-out region, the multi-building campus is designed to provide approximately 115.0 MW of gross utility power capacity and 90.0 MW of critical IT load, supporting Microsoft Azure cloud availability zones, artificial intelligence supercomputing, enterprise applications, and other high-performance computing workloads across Central Europe. Electrical infrastructure is connected through high-voltage utility networks involving Amprion and Westnetz, with resilient power distribution supported by static modular 2N and Block N+1 uninterruptible power supply systems and emergency backup generator units. These systems are designed to provide continuity for critical computing operations during utility disturbances, maintenance activities, or unexpected grid interruptions. Thermal management incorporates high-efficiency air-cooled free-cooling chillers integrated with direct-to-chip liquid cooling systems, enabling efficient heat removal from high-density GPU servers and other accelerated computing equipment. The campus also incorporates waste-heat recovery infrastructure intended to enable the reuse of excess thermal energy within local municipal district heating networks, supporting improved energy efficiency and regional heat utilization. Strategically positioned within the Rhine-Ruhr digital corridor, the site benefits from access to major telecommunications routes and European network hubs. Subterranean dark-fiber entry vaults and dual carrier-neutral meet-me rooms provide diverse connectivity options, while low-latency network links toward DE-CIX Frankfurt and regional internet exchanges support efficient domestic and international data traffic. Multi-layered zero-trust biometric physical security systems provide continuous protection for critical infrastructure, customer environments, and restricted operational areas. The campus strengthens Microsoft’s cloud and AI infrastructure presence in Western Germany while contributing to the region’s evolving digital and energy transition landscape.

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