Google announced a new EUR 5 billion investment in Belgium spanning 2026-2027, marking a significant expansion of the company's data center operations in St. Ghislain. The investment will create 300 full-time jobs and includes new carbon-free energy agreements and support for local AI skilling programs. The announcement was made in the presence of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium during the Belgian Economic Mission to the United States on October 8, 2025.

The funds will expand Google's existing data center campus in St. Ghislain to strengthen the company's AI capabilities and meet growing demand for Google Cloud services.

Infrastructure Expansion and Regional Impact

The expanded St. Ghislain facility will strengthen Google Cloud's Belgium region, which is part of the company's global network of 42 areas. These regions deliver high-performance and low-latency services that businesses and organizations use to build and scale their own AI-powered solutions. Current Google Cloud customers in Belgium include Odoo, UZ Leuven, and AZ Delta.

The investment will extend Google's AI capabilities to meet growing demand for Google Cloud while powering the company's other popular services, including Search, Maps, and Workspace. These services are utilized by organizations and individuals in Belgium, as well as by billions worldwide. Today's announcement brings Google's total investment in Belgium to over EUR 11 billion since it broke ground on its first data center in St. Ghislain in 2007.

The facility currently creates jobs for approximately 600 people in full-time and contractor roles, including computer technicians, electrical and mechanical engineers, security, catering, and facilities management personnel.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The expansion will add another 300 jobs at Google's data centers in Wallonia, bringing the total number of direct jobs to over 900. According to a report by Université de Mons and Deloitte, Google's historical data center investments are estimated to have generated a total economic impact of €697 million in GDP from 2022 to 2024. The investments are expected to generate more than EUR 1.5 billion annually from 2026 to 2027, supporting an average of 14,950 jobs per year during that period while creating substantial opportunities for local companies.

Google currently works with nearly 150 Belgian suppliers, including 80 in Wallonia, for its Belgian data center operations. An Implement Consulting study commissioned in 2024 by Google found that generative AI alone could boost Belgium's gross domestic product (GDP) by EUR 45-50 billion over 10 years with widespread adoption.

Government and Industry Response

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated that Google's new investment is “a powerful sign of trust in Belgium as a hub for digital innovation and sustainable growth.” He noted that by expanding advanced cloud and AI infrastructure in St. Ghislain, creating skilled jobs, and securing new carbon-free energy, Belgium strengthens its economy and energy transition while consolidating its role as a leader in Europe's digital future.

Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice-President of the Government of Wallonia, said the EUR 5 billion investment confirms Wallonia's central role as a European hub for data processing and storage. He emphasized that it creates jobs in the digital sector, stimulates innovation and economic activity in the area, improves local infrastructure, and enhances the development of artificial intelligence skills.

Florence Monier, Mayor of St. Ghislain, described the development as creating “a dynamic innovative ecosystem, creating opportunities for other businesses too.” She expressed pride in working hand in hand with inter-city development agency IDEA to help Google integrate in the best possible way. Theo Francken, Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, noted that Belgium values the exchange with global tech leaders like Google, stating that strengthening cyber and data capabilities requires open dialogue while firmly safeguarding sovereignty and security.

Sustainability and Energy Initiatives

Google announced new deals with Eneco, Luminus, and Renner totaling more than 110 megawatts (MW), advancing Google's ambition to run on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) on every grid where it operates. With these announcements, Google has supported 365 MW of new clean energy resources in Belgium, increasing grid reliability and electricity affordability for all.

Since Google began purchasing renewable energy in 2010, the company has signed wind and solar agreements in Europe totaling more than 4.5 gigawatts of clean energy generation capacity. Google is also working with grid partner Centrica Energy and transmission system operator Elia to integrate a demand response capability in conjunction with the St. Ghislain facility's battery storage system.

Google operates among the most energy-efficient data centers in the world and is committed to responsibly growing its infrastructure. The company is improving local watershed health near its offices and data centers, with a goal to replenish 120% of the water it consumes, on average, by 2030. In Belgium, Google is supporting Shayp's IoT leak detection system in 240 non-residential buildings near the St. Ghislain data center.

This technology will identify and address leaks, reducing the average annual water waste by approximately 500 cubic meters by 2030, resulting in lower operating costs for universities, schools, and public buildings.

Workforce Development

Google.org announced an initiative to prepare the Belgian workforce for an AI-driven economy by funding nonprofits to provide free, practical AI training for workers seeking to upskill or transition their careers. Bikash Koley, Vice President of Google Global Infrastructure, stated that Google's investments in technical infrastructure and AI skills development help ensure that people across Belgium and Europe have access to opportunities in this era of European innovation.

Fabrice De Windt, CEO Proximus NXT IT & Corporate Segment Lead a.i., one of Google's key partners in Belgium, welcomed Google's decision to further invest in Belgium, noting that it reinforces the region's role as a key driver of digital innovation in Europe. He emphasized that at Proximus, they are advancing their sovereign cloud capabilities, which enable organizations to unlock the potential of AI and data securely.

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