Amsterdam (Netherlands) (AFP) – Dozens of activists broke into a construction site where Microsoft is building a data center in Amsterdam on Friday, as part of a European mobilization against this type of facility.

First modification: 11/09/2026 - 11:24

A coalition of groups called Stop Dirty Data Centers called for actions on Friday and Saturday in several European countries to demand a pause in the construction of new complexes.

The mobilization is part of a growing wave of protests against data centers linked to the development of artificial intelligence (AI), questioned for their environmental impact and the number of jobs they actually generate.

Protesters in Amsterdam, called by the Geef Tegengas collective, which advocates for climate and justice, and the environmental group Fossielvrij, scaled security fences and displayed slogans against Microsoft.

According to the Dutch agency ANP, the police detained between 150 and 200 participants, while others left the place voluntarily.

"In terms of energy security, this installation will consume as much energy as all the homes in Amsterdam combined. In terms of water security, it will consume an absurd amount of water," Nathan Timmer, spokesman for Geef Tegengas, told AFP.

Timmer, 30, also argued that the center would be used "to facilitate AI warfare" and what he called "genocide" in Gaza.

AI data centers require large amounts of electricity – putting additional pressure on networks that often remain reliant on fossil fuels – and, in many cases, also large volumes of water to cool IT equipment.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

© 2026 AFP

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