Google Saint-Ghislain - DC5

The Google Saint-Ghislain Campus, including DC5 (sitecode GBL5), is a significant data center facility located in Saint-Ghislain-Mons, Belgium. This campus is recognized for its technological innovation and commitment to sustainability. It employs advanced cooling techniques, utilizing chilled water from an industrial canal to manage server temperatures, and incorporates a solar farm to contribute to its power generation needs. This approach positions the campus as a leader in climate-friendly data solutions.

Google has made a substantial investment in Belgium, with over €5 billion since 2007 in data centers and related infrastructure. The Saint-Ghislain facility notably features the first battery-based system in Belgium for replacing generators at a hyperscale data center, optimizing energy usage by shifting from high CO2 grid hours to carbon-free hours. In 2022, Google achieved an 82% carbon-free energy score for its Belgian operations, supporting the nation's net-zero emission goals. The campus also plays a role in workforce development, having launched a Data Centre program in collaboration with HELHa Engineer university college to address the need for skilled maintenance staff.