US data center firm Prime is expanding its footprint in Europe with a new development in Denmark.

The company this week announced plans for a new campus in Esbjerg in partnership with Brunswick Real Estate.

The company is aiming to develop a 640,000 sqm (6.88 million sq ft) campus – known as ESB01 – on land along Nordre Tovrupvej. The land is owned by the Esbjerg Municipality.

“We are proud to announce our plans for the Esbjerg Data Center and to begin the EIA process,” said Nicholas Laag, founder and CEO of Prime Data Centers. “This project represents Prime’s commitment to Denmark and the broader Nordic region as we work to meet rapidly growing demand for digital infrastructure that powers hyperscale cloud, AI, and HPC workloads.”

The project is now entering the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, with Prime applying for 550MW of IT capacity. Construction of the first data center is anticipated to commence in 2027, with initial capacity going live in late 2029.

The first phase would offer 160MW of IT capacity, with Prime investing some €2 billion ($2.3bn). A total of €6 billion ($6.91bn) could be invested to reach the full 550MW. Prime has committed to exploring opportunities for waste heat recovery.

Laag continued: “Esbjerg’s unique combination of abundant renewable energy, world-class submarine cable connectivity to continental Europe, and strong municipal support makes it one of the most compelling data center locations in Europe. We look forward to working closely with the Municipality of Esbjerg and the local community throughout this process.”

Prime’s current portfolio is largely centered in the US around California, with campuses also in development in Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona. Investors in the company include Macquarie Capital, Ares Management, Siemens Financial Services, Snowhawk, and Nuveen.

The company announced plans to move into Europe in 2023 with a three-building, 124MW campus in Saeby, in northern Denmark.

Another campus is in development in Madrid, Spain, that will offer 40MW. Prime is also targeting a project outside Helsinki, Finland. The company also has plans for data centers in Germany in Frankfurt (20MW) and Berlin.

Esbjerg is a seaport city and the seat of Esbjerg Municipality on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark.

Bulk operates a data center in Esbjerg, while Meta previously acquired land for a data center in Esbjerg but has yet to announce any project in the municipality. Danish real estate firm Thylander is also targeting a 100MW project in the city. Microsoft is also developing in the area.

“The Municipality of Esbjerg welcomes the Prime Data Centers project and appreciates the company’s decision to invest in our area,” said Jesper Frost Rasmussen, Mayor of the Municipality of Esbjerg. “This project underlines Esbjerg’s growing position as a hub for digital infrastructure in Northern Europe and has the potential to contribute to local jobs and economic activity.”

Brunswick, Prime’s partner in the project, is a Nordic real estate investor founded in 2003.