Google has committed to investing an additional €5bn ($5.8bn) in cloud and AI infrastructure in Belgium over the next two years.

Revealed by the search and cloud giant on October 8, the investment will go towards expanding the company’s data center campuses in Saint-Ghislain and aims to add a further 300 full-time jobs.

In addition, Google is teaming up with Eneco, Luminous, and Renner for the development of onshore wind farms.

“With today’s announcement, Google is deepening its roots in Belgium, extending our investments in the country and creating new avenues for AI-driven transformation,” said Bikash Koley, vice president for global infrastructure at Google.

Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever added: “Google’s new investment is a powerful sign of trust in Belgium as a hub for digital innovation and sustainable growth. By expanding advanced cloud and AI infrastructure in St. Ghislain, creating skilled jobs, and securing new carbon-free energy, Belgium not only strengthens its economy and energy transition. This project is also of strategic importance, consolidating our role as a leader in Europe’s digital future.”

Google first established its data center campus in Belgium in 2009, home to the company’s europe-west1 region.

The company is also in the process of building out a campus in Farciennes, in the province of Hainaut, breaking ground in April 2024. Official plans for that campus were first announced in July 2023.

The Saint-Ghislain campus was Google’s first in Europe, and the company has since expanded it. As of April 2024, it had five data centers on the 90-hectare site, as well as a solar plant.

Since 2007, Google says it has invested more than €5bn in Belgium data center infrastructure.

Amazon Web Services operates a Local Zone in Brussels, Belgium, but does not have a cloud region in the country. Microsoft operates a cloud region in Belgium dubbed “belgiumcentral.”