Schwerin, August 27, 2026 – In a groundbreaking partnership, the companies of Schwarz Group and the state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have announced their joint goal of positioning Europe as a leader in digitalization and artificial intelligence. At a press conference, Manuela Schwesig, minister-president of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Gerd Chrzanowski, general partner of Schwarz Group, revealed plans to invest up to 5.6 billion euros by 2033 in the construction of a data center in the state.
The investment aims to strengthen critical infrastructure in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and promote the development and operation of cloud and AI solutions under German law. This will foster value creation in Germany and Europe, while also promoting digital sovereignty and sustainability.
The data center will be powered exclusively by renewable energy, and plans include the development of a district heating network and state-of-the-art air cooling to ensure its ecological efficiency. This project serves as a blueprint for Germany, with the first flagship projects including a digital building permit system and the introduction of OpenDesk in the education sector.
Gerd Chrzanowski, general partner of Schwarz Group, stated, “Digital sovereignty is not created by appeals or speeches. It is created by action, by reliable infrastructure, and by practical applications. We are not waiting for others to lead. We are assuming entrepreneurial responsibility and investing sustainably in the future of Germany as an economic location.”
Manuela Schwesig, minister-president of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, added, “The goal of the state government is to become more independent from foreign providers of data centers and cloud and AI applications. We therefore view the Schwarz Group’s investment decision as an opportunity for greater independence and increased data security. Our state will benefit from this investment in many ways.”
The proposed data center is expected to reach a capacity of 240 megawatts by 2033, with potential for 1 gigawatt by 2045. The site under consideration is located in the industrial park in the municipality of Dummerstorf, offering high availability of sustainably produced electricity and connection to the 380-kilovolt extra-high-voltage grid. Plans also include utilizing waste heat to benefit municipal heating planning.
The data center project is in an early stage, and technical specifications have not yet been finalized. The investment for the 240-megawatt capacity is estimated at approximately 5.6 billion euros.
In addition to the data center, the partnership between Schwarz Group and the state government includes the joint development of high-performance digital solutions for the state’s public administration. By the end of 2026, groundbreaking technical applications are expected to be implemented, including digital building permits and the introduction of OpenDesk in the education sector.
The cooperation is designed for the long term and aims to modernize Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s public administration while also serving as a scalable and transferable flagship project for the entire Federal Republic of Germany.
For further information, please visit www.gruppe.schwarz.
Press Contact:
Schwarz Corporate Affairs GmbH & Co. KG
Phone +49(0)7132 30-788600
presse@mail.schwarz
About Schwarz Group:
Schwarz Group is an international leader in the retail industry with some 14,500 stores and 604,000 employees. In the 2025 fiscal year, the companies of Schwarz Group generated a total sales volume of 185.6 billion euros. Their unique ecosystem lets them cover the full value cycle: from production and retail to recycling and digitalization. They create solutions to make peoples’ lives safer, healthier, and more sustainable, both now and in the future.
Lidl and Kaufland, the pillars of the food retail market, are an integral part of customers’ daily lives in 33 countries. The company’s own-brand products and packaging come directly from Schwarz Produktion, and through its recycling management solutions, the circular economy division PreZero promotes a functional circular economy and is investing in a clean future. The IT and digital division, Schwarz Digits, provides compelling digital products and services that meet the high German data protection standards, ensuring maximum digital sovereignty. Schwarz Corporate Solutions, a partner service provider, assists the companies of Schwarz Group with all matters related to administration.
