Around 100 Protesters Break Into Microsoft Data Centre Site in Amsterdam

Around 100 protesters have entered a Microsoft data centre construction site on the outskirts of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, escalating opposition to the expansion of large technology infrastructure.

The protesters entered the facility on Friday, November 6, during a demonstration against the data centre, according to a Reuters witness at the scene.

The incident comes amid growing resistance to the construction of large data centres across Europe, with campaigners raising concerns about their environmental impact, electricity consumption and demands on local resources.

The Amsterdam demonstration forms part of the wider Stop Dirty Data Centres campaign, which has brought together more than 100 organisations across 15 European countries for protests scheduled for November 6 and 7.

Campaigners are demanding a temporary halt to the approval and construction of large-scale data centres until governments establish stronger safeguards addressing their environmental and social consequences.

The protesters argue that the facilities consume substantial amounts of electricity and water, put additional pressure on public infrastructure and could worsen existing environmental challenges.

The Amsterdam protest was also preceded by a planned demonstration at Plimsollweg in the Sloterdijk area, organised by Dutch campaign groups, including Fossielvrij and Geef Tegengas. The programme included discussions on data centres, democracy and artificial intelligence.

Opposition to the Microsoft-linked development in Amsterdam is not entirely new. Activists previously disrupted construction activities at the site in June, with demonstrators entering the construction area and some reportedly climbing machinery and structures.

In July, Extinction Rebellion also claimed responsibility for an action targeting the construction site, alleging that balloons containing a chemical mixture had been thrown over its perimeter fence. The developer, Pure Data Centres Group, said the incident caused no damage or construction delays.

Beyond Amsterdam, similar demonstrations are taking place in several European countries as campaigners seek a moratorium on large data centre projects.

The growing opposition comes as Europe increases investment in digital infrastructure to strengthen its position in the global artificial intelligence race, particularly against the United States and China.

While technology companies and industry supporters argue that data centres are essential for digital services, AI development, employment and economic growth, critics insist that their expansion must not come at the expense of local communities and environmental sustainability.

Details regarding possible arrests, injuries or damage arising from Friday’s entry into the Amsterdam construction site had not been established in the initial Reuters report.