"The Netherlands has the opportunity to build a European data center with 100,000 AI chips and 20 petabytes of storage, but the government is lagging behind in terms of financial commitment. Energy company Eneco and data center party Volt, who together want to build the AI gigafactory, warn that neighboring countries are moving ahead and emptying the EU subsidy pot of 20 billion euros. "While the Netherlands actually has very good conditions," according to Eneco."
"The European Union will soon open the tender for five AI gigafactories. Before consortia can submit bids, member states must make a financial commitment in advance. The financing model for AI gigafactories stipulates that 65 percent of the investment costs must be borne by private parties, with government support for the remaining 35 percent. The latter can be a mix of EU funds and funds from a member state."
"And that is where the problem lies. The Ministry of Economic Affairs confirms that "no public budget is (yet) available." A decision is up to the new cabinet, which is still appointing ministers. Germany has already submitted a bid of €805 million. Eneco and Volt report in a letter to Minister Heleen Herbert (CDA) that they have the "full support" of Peter Wennink, former CEO of ASML. Such an AI gigafactory is an essential pillar for our economy, according to Wennink."
The Netherlands can host an EU AI gigafactory requiring at least 100,000 advanced AI chips and 20 petabytes of storage. Eneco and Volt propose a Rotterdam port location and warn that neighboring countries are depleting the €20 billion EU subsidy pot. The EU tender will select five gigafactories, but member states must pre-commit funding. The financing model requires 65 percent private investment and 35 percent public support, which can combine EU and national funds. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs reports no public budget yet and a cabinet decision is pending. Germany has already bid €805 million, and industry figures like Peter Wennink endorse the project as economically essential.
Read at Techzine Global
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