E.ON explores data centre conversion for former German nuclear sites

Europe’s largest energy grid operator, E.ON, is assessing whether former nuclear plant sites in Germany can be repurposed into data centres. The company’s finance chief said the sites offer large grid connections and attractive industrial locations, and that E.ON is working with Nvidia on a feasibil

Europe’s largest energy grid operator, E.ON, is reviewing whether former nuclear plant sites in Germany could be converted into data centres, its finance chief said on Wednesday during a post-earnings presentation. Germany’s six-decade nuclear programme ended in 2023, leaving dozens of inactive sites across the country after Berlin pledged to quit nuclear power following the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan.

“These former power plants can provide attractive industrial locations and depending on the site, we can use the existing infrastructure, particularly the large grid connection,” CFO Nadia Jakobi said. She added that E.ON is taking a “first step” with US chip designer Nvidia to establish the project’s viability. Jakobi also said she was hopeful former sites would soon become available and that E.ON had become “world class” in nuclear demolition.