Nebius becomes first customer of AI factory in Rotterdam
The agreement gives the billion-euro project on the Maasvlakte a first customer, but permits and financing are not yet in place.
Follow-up to: AI plan near Rotterdam remains dependent on customers Monday, 12 October 2026, 00:56
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AI cloud company Nebius is to become the first customer of VOLT’s planned AI gigafactory in the port of Rotterdam. According to initiator VOLT, Nebius has signed an agreement for a substantial share of the future computing capacity.
The agreement is intended to lay the foundations for a large data-centre complex on the Maasvlakte. Nebius, an AI cloud company headquartered in Amsterdam, wants to take the computing capacity for an extended period. VOLT is developing the buildings and installing the AI chips; Nebius will then lease those chips for its own cloud services.
According to Han de Groot, VOLT’s chief executive, the deal is important because a project of this scale needs committed customers before investors and energy partners can move forward. The company hopes to begin construction in 2028. For the first phase, VOLT cites an investment of €7 billion.
According to the initiator, that sum consists of approximately €2.5 billion for buildings and €4.5 billion for AI chip infrastructure. The first construction phase would involve two buildings, each with an IT capacity of 100 megawatts. The completed factory would consist of six buildings.
VOLT ultimately cites a capacity of up to 800 megawatts for the Rotterdam site. That is a design or development ambition, not operational capacity that is already available. The company still needs to obtain permits and reach agreements on energy, grid connections, financing and planning integration.
According to VOLT, the choice of the port is linked to the proximity of connections for electricity from wind farms in the North Sea. The company wants to limit the additional burden on the national electricity grid. That does not remove the overall electricity demand: a factory of this scale will remain dependent on large quantities of available and affordable energy.
The agreement could give Nebius a new European source of AI computing capacity. For the Netherlands, the project could contribute to digital infrastructure and economic activity, but its success depends on whether the factory is actually built and whether the necessary permits and energy agreements prove feasible.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Nebius has signed an agreement for a substantial share of the future computing capacity.
- VOLT is developing an AI factory in the port of Rotterdam.
- Construction has not yet begun and permits are still required.
- VOLT cites an eventual capacity of up to 800 megawatts.
Left
Arguments Public space and energy should not automatically be allocated to the biggest technology projects. The government should impose firm conditions on grid use, water, employment conditions, local benefits and democratic oversight.
Values Sustainability, public control and the fair distribution of scarce infrastructure.
Consequences Strict conditions could limit social harm, but could also delay construction or send investment to other countries.
Centre
Arguments The project could be economically and strategically relevant, but must go through normal permitting and independent scrutiny. Transparency about energy use, financing and the agreement with Nebius is essential.
Values Careful decision-making, innovation and feasibility.
Consequences A phased approach could deliver benefits without accepting all the risks in advance, but requires long-term public oversight.
Right
Arguments The Netherlands should enable European AI infrastructure and not remain dependent on American or Chinese providers. Private investment and a major customer make the project more promising than a plan funded entirely by the government.
Values Competitiveness, enterprise and digital independence.
Consequences Faster permitting could deliver growth and jobs, but a failed investment or unexpected energy demand remains a business risk.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The commercial agreement, investment estimate and development timetable are based on reporting by ANP and information from VOLT. The text clearly distinguishes plans and design capacity from infrastructure that has been realised.
- confirmed Nebius is the first customer of VOLT’s planned AI gigafactory. — ANP quotes VOLT chief executive Han de Groot on this. source
- confirmed VOLT hopes to begin construction in 2028. — This timetable appears in ANP’s reporting. source
- confirmed According to VOLT, the first construction phase requires €7 billion. — ANP reports VOLT’s estimate. source
- confirmed VOLT estimates the full Rotterdam AI factory at a maximum of 800 megawatts. — VOLT cites this capacity on its project page. source
Editor's note
The first customer and the main outlines of the agreement have been confirmed. The contract value, exact duration, legal status of the agreement and final permits have not been disclosed.Sources
- Eerste klant voor geplande AI-fabriek in Rotterdamse haven — ANP via ZeelandNet
- VOLT AI Factories — VOLT
- Eneco and Volt: political action needed for AI Gigafactory — Eneco
The story so far
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 00:56 AI plan near Rotterdam remains dependent on customers
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 10:58 Nebius becomes first customer of AI factory in Rotterdam (this article)