this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2026
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Wallonia is turning off the tap for Google and banning water cooling at a new datacenter. Wallonia's Minister of Spatial Planning refusing to issue a modified permit for this purpose (www.nieuwsblad.be)
submitted 3 days ago by stumu415@lemmy.zip to c/technology@lemmy.world
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The American technology giant wanted to cool the new data center with water from the nearby river. The data center, which is almost complete, retains its air cooling system. The Walloon administration for Waterways had previously given a positive advice, after which the amended permit was granted. 

But after investigation, Desquesnes, the Minister for Spatial Planning, decided to refuse the permit as a precaution. According to him, the current drought in Wallonia and the consequences of climate change cause too much uncertainty. “I don't want to commit myself to a hydrological context that is changing dramatically”, he explained Le Soir.

The minister says he has insufficient certainty that the Walloon Region can continue to bear the requested water consumption in the coming years. “There is a risk that the responsibility of the Region, including financially, will be jeopardized.”

Google confirms that it analyzing the decision. The company can appeal the minister's decision to the Council of State.

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[–] Frostbeard@lemmy.world 10 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Think the only thing Wallonia and Flandern agree upon is that they dont want to be France or the Netherlands. I only know people from Flandern so can't speak for Wallonians and their travels, but even I as a Norwegian has been more often to Wallonia than my Flemish friends.

[–] CareHare@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 days ago

I am from Flanders, your statement is pretty much spot on most of the time. I do love my country though, there should be more love between our two regions.

[–] Sylvartas@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Most wallonians I know rarely travel to Flanders because they don't speak Flemish and the people there refuse to speak ~~normal~~ french