Transmission system operator Amprion and QTS, a global data center leader, have signed a construction agreement for the infrastructure required to connect a planned data center campus in the Westfalen industrial park.

The agreement covers the grid infrastructure needed to link the site near Hamm and Lippetal to the transmission grid via the Uentrop substation. The signing, announced by Amprion on 27 October 2026, marks an important milestone for the project.

QTS Plans Data Center Campus in Germany

The campus is planned to be developed and operated by QTS, a Blackstone portfolio company, on an area of approximately 27 hectares within the Westfalen industrial park.

Subject to the necessary approvals and project requirements, the development would represent a multi-billion euro digital infrastructure investment in North Rhine-Westphalia.

"High-performance transmission grids are a key prerequisite for our country's digital transformation," says Dr. Christoph Müller, CEO of Amprion GmbH. "Investments in data centers, industry, and other emerging technologies cannot be realized without a strong and reliable electricity grid."

QTS to Fund Grid Upgrades

As part of the project, QTS and Blackstone will fund the substation infrastructure and grid upgrades required to connect the proposed campus to the transmission grid.

"This agreement is an important milestone for the proposed Lippetal campus," says Florian Hoyndorf, Senior Director of International Pre-Development at QTS.

"QTS is committed to funding the infrastructure upgrades required for our projects and to working closely with Amprion and local partners as plans progress."

By advancing the grid infrastructure required for the planned campus, Amprion is laying the foundation for a significant digital infrastructure investment and strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location.

The Key Role of Transmission Grids

Data centers are described by Amprion as the backbone of today's digital economy, supporting many of the services people use every day.

They enable cloud computing, online banking, video streaming, and digital public services, while also helping hospitals, researchers, and businesses process large amounts of data to drive medical advances, scientific research, and new technologies.

At the same time, data centers require a secure and high-capacity electricity supply. This is where transmission grids play a crucial role.

According to Amprion, they transport electricity over long distances, integrate renewable energy into the energy system, and provide the foundation for reliably supplying large consumers such as data centers.

"As a transmission system operator, our role is to provide robust infrastructure," says Dr. Müller. "Projects like this enable investment in the digital economy and create the conditions for future growth."

Hamm Region's Energy Infrastructure Plans

The Hamm region offers favourable conditions for the development of energy-intensive future technologies and industries, according to Amprion.

Among other projects, Amprion is planning to build a converter station in the area as the southern endpoint of the Corridor B underground cable project. This high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link will transport wind-generated electricity from the Wilhelmshaven region to Westphalia.

The converter station in Hamm will convert the direct current into alternating current and feed it into the regional grid via the Lippborg substation, making the renewable electricity available to the region and, in the future, to the planned data center campus.

Further details on the project timeline or approvals were not provided in the announcement. Amprion's project spokesperson Dr. Matthias Machinek is available for media inquiries regarding the agreement.

Staying Ahead of Germany's Data Center Boom Starts with the Right Intelligence

Germany's digital infrastructure race is accelerating, with hyperscale campuses, colocation expansions, and edge facilities reshaping the region's real estate and energy landscapes. But in a market this competitive, identifying the right opportunities before your rivals do is the difference between winning contracts and watching them go elsewhere.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research gives you a live, structured view of data center activity across Germany, from early-stage planning to operational handover, so your team can act on intelligence, not guesswork.

Whether you target hyperscalers, colocation operators, or the contractors building Germany's next generation of digital infrastructure, the platform consolidates every stage of the project lifecycle into a single, actionable database.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

See how leading firms across Germany are using the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research to capture data center opportunities first. Book a Free Demo today.