- HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions and Palladio Partners launch construction of a YEXIO data center in Herne
- Part of HOCHTIEF strategy to develop and operate a European network of sustainable edge data centers offering sovereign cloud solutions
Construction of the YEXIO data center at FunkenbergQuartier in Herne has officially begun following the groundbreaking ceremony. The project is being developed by HOCHTIEF and financed jointly by Palladio Partners and HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions.
The facility will initially provide two megawatts of IT capacity for the local economy, with expansion potential to four megawatts. Designed as an edge data center located close to users, it reduces data transmission times and strengthens local data sovereignty. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2027.
“The local economy and municipal enterprises need secure data infrastructure right on their doorstep in order to operate with full independence,” said Bernd Holtwick, CFO and COO of HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions. “This is exactly the kind of digital sovereignty we are creating in Herne, delivering a fully integrated solution – from financing and low‑carbon construction through to reliable operation.”
The project is part of HOCHTIEF’s strategy to develop a European network of sustainable edge data centers. Herne is the fourth data center site, with work is progressing at other German locations.
Sustainable construction and efficient operations
The YEXIO data center is designed for low‑carbon operation and sustainable construction. It will run on 100 per cent renewable electricity and is being built entirely using mass timber and prefabricated modules. Compared with conventional concrete and steel construction, this approach reduces the building’s carbon footprint by around 600 tonnes.
Direct water cooling with a closed‑loop system will be used for server cooling, delivering significantly higher energy efficiency than conventional air‑cooling systems. The waste heat generated by the facility will be made available to the local energy system as part of a sector-coupling approach. A green façade and intelligent rainwater management will further improve the local microclimate and biodiversity.
As a user of the Herne data center, Yorizon will offer sustainable cloud computing and green IT services to enterprises and public‑sector organisations.
Part of a comprehensive smart city strategy
For the City of Herne, the data center is a central component of its digitalisation strategy. Mayor Frank Dudda said: “The data center is creating the conditions for Herne to further strengthen its attractiveness as a location for future‑proof, IT‑ and knowledge‑based jobs. We are shaping the digital transformation in Herne to deliver tangible benefits for both citizens and businesses in our city. A dedicated data center serves as the backbone of our smart city projects. It provides the technical foundation for high‑speed data connectivity, modern mobility solutions and the intelligent management of our infrastructure.”
Long‑term investment in digital infrastructure
Palladio Partners is supporting the project with long‑term capital as part of a portfolio of infrastructure investments across Germany and selected EU member states.
“Modern, sustainable data centers are a fundamental prerequisite for further digitalisation,” said David Bussmann, Director at Palladio Partners. “From an investor’s perspective, these projects also stand out as excellent examples of successful sector coupling.”
