Status: Announced / Under Phased Construction | Location: Middenmeer, Hollands Kroon (North Holland), Netherlands
The Microsoft Middenmeer Campus Expansion in Hollands Kroon is emblematic of the critical challenges and innovative solutions defining the next era of hyperscale data center development in Europe. The latest phase, involving the acquisition of a 50-hectare land parcel adjacent to Microsoft’s existing facilities, underscores the need for massive, continuous capacity to meet soaring demand for Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) services in the region.
What sets this project apart is its strict adherence to and pioneering work in sustainability, particularly in response to the Netherlands' rigorous environmental standards. The site is a living example of Microsoft’s commitment to be Carbon Negative, Water Positive, and Zero Waste by 2030. To achieve "Water Positive" status, the expansion design includes public areas dedicated to harvesting rainwater, which is then used for cooling and returned to local sources, replenishing more than the facility consumes.
The energy infrastructure is equally ambitious. The Middenmeer facilities are powered by 100% renewable energy, secured through substantial Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with local energy giants like Vattenfall, drawing power directly from nearby wind farms. This addresses the high energy consumption of the hyperscale campus, which is critical as the Netherlands tightens its power grid access regulations.
Furthermore, the project is navigating the requirement for mandatory heat reuse. While specific partners for the Middenmeer expansion's heat reuse scheme are still being finalised, the facility is designed to convert its waste heat into thermal energy suitable for a future district heating network, potentially supplying local greenhouses or residential areas. This commitment to circularity is not just a corporate goal but a necessity for securing long-term operational licenses in the Netherlands.
The Middenmeer campus thus serves as a model for how global Hyperscalers are building future-proof infrastructure: enormous in scale, optimised for next-generation AI workloads, and deeply integrated with the local community and energy ecosystem to achieve radical sustainability goals.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Microsoft Middenmeer Campus Expansion (AMS13/14) |
| Location | Middenmeer, Hollands Kroon (North Holland), Netherlands |
| Status | Announced / Under Phased Construction |
| Commissioning | Phased, continuous expansion through 2028+ |
| Total IT Load | Not disclosed (Massive scale; part of a long-term commitment) |
| Total Capacity | Multi-hundred Megawatts (MW) (Expands adjacent to existing facilities) |
| Tier Level | Tier III+ to Tier IV (Standard Hyperscaler Availability Zone design) |
| Project Type | Hyperscale Cloud Region (Addressing EU Sovereign Cloud/AI demand) |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| City Name | Middenmeer (Hollands Kroon) |
| Population | ~6,000 (Middenmeer) |
| Urban Agglomeration | approximately 4,590 inhabitants. |
| City GDP | not publicly available |
| Per Capita Income | €43,900 (USD |
| City Tier | Middenmeer is a village in the Netherlands |
| Key Strengths | Designated area for hyperscale, power headroom, access to renewable energy (wind farms), strong focus on circular economy and heat reuse requirements |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer / Operator | Microsoft Corporation |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Municipality of Hollands Kroon, Vattenfall (Energy PPA) |
| Construction Contractor | Various local and international construction firms |
| MEP Engineering | Focus on water-positive design and efficient heat recovery systems |
| Network Connectivity | High-speed, secure fiber linking multiple Availability Zones and subsea cable landing points (e.g., Eemshaven) |
| Power Infrastructure | Direct access to the grid; powered by PPAs with Eneco, Shell, and Vattenfall (e.g., Wieringermeer wind farm) |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Capacity | Significant multi-MW capacity added over 50 hectares of new land |
| UPS Redundancy | N+1 (Within each Availability Zone) |
| Cooling System | Hybrid cooling, incorporating liquid-to-air/liquid-to-liquid cooling readiness; focus on minimizing water consumption and maximizing heat rejection. |
| Connectivity | Ultra-low latency to Northern Europe, strong connection to Dutch fiber backbone. |
| PUE Target | Targeting low PUE, heavily focused on sustainability metrics. |
| Energy Mix | 100% Renewable Energy commitment through PPAs with local energy suppliers. |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Announcement | September 2025 (New 50-hectare land purchase for expansion) |
| Construction Start | Ongoing/Phased |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Existing facilities are operational; new phases expected 2026-2027 |
| Full Buildout | Long-term development |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | Not disclosed (Part of Microsoft's massive, ongoing European capital expenditure) |
| Funding | Microsoft Corporate Capital |
Subscribe to our exclusive newsletter and get the latest insights on data center trends, market forecasts, and infrastructure innovations delivered straight to your inbox.