There Are So Many Abandoned Gas And Coal Plants That Microsoft And Amazon Are Eyeing Them For A New Purpose

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 10/08/2025 at 07:14

Imagem: Pexels / Marcin Jozwiak

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Microsoft And Amazon Negotiate Use Of Old European Power Plants As Data Centers, Leveraging Existing Infrastructure To Accelerate Conversion And Reduce Costs

The climate commitments made by the Europe have ended the cycle of many gas and coal power plants. Although many of them are already out of operation, advancements in artificial intelligence may give these structures a new purpose.

The most important thing is that this is not about resuming the burning of fossil fuels, but about reconverting these plants into modern data centers.

According to Reuters, Microsoft and Amazon are at the forefront of these negotiations. The tech giants are in talks with Engie, RWE, and Enel to enable the use of the old facilities. For the energy companies, the plan represents a double opportunity.

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Abandoned Power Plants: Advantages For Everyone

The first advantage is obvious: generating revenue from spaces that had no prospect of use. The second is even more strategic, as these companies can directly supply the electricity that data centers require.

Thus, a cycle is created where both technology and energy companies profit.

Bobby Hollis, Vice President of Energy at Microsoft, pointed out that these plants already have essential infrastructure, such as water supply systems and heat recovery systems.

This reduces the need for complex adaptations, accelerating the conversion.

Speed And Savings

Lindsay McQuade, Director of Energy for the EMEA region at Amazon, emphasizes that the approval of licenses can be faster than for new constructions.

Since much of the structure already exists, costs and timelines are significantly lower. This agility, combined with moderate investment, explains the growing interest of tech giants.

Recent history shows the size of the potential. Since 2005, Europe and the UK have closed 190 coal and lignite plants.

Another 153 are expected to close by 2038. This means hundreds of industrial buildings ready to be repurposed.

Energy Challenge

Despite the advantages, there is a critical point that cannot be ignored. It is unclear whether the electrical infrastructure of some countries can support the energy demand that these centers require.

Before moving forward, it may be necessary to expand networks and supply systems.

In this context, renewable energy and nuclear power emerge as key components to enable the project.

After all, the demand from AI data centers is likely to grow rapidly, and the stability of supply will be crucial for the success of the reconversion.

With information from Xataka.

There Are So Many Abandoned Gas And Coal Plants That Microsoft And Amazon Are Eyeing Them For A New Purpose

Microsoft And Amazon Negotiate Use Of Old European Power Plants As Data Centers, Leveraging Existing Infrastructure To Accelerate Conversion And Reduce Costs

Abandoned Power Plants: Advantages For Everyone

Speed And Savings

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There Are So Many Abandoned Gas And Coal Plants That Microsoft And Amazon Are Eyeing Them For A New Purpose

Microsoft And Amazon Negotiate Use Of Old European Power Plants As Data Centers, Leveraging Existing Infrastructure To Accelerate Conversion And Reduce Costs

Abandoned Power Plants: Advantages For Everyone

Speed And Savings

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