The city of Neu-Isenburg, Stadtwerke Neu-Isenburg (SWNI), and the project developer Goodman have signed an addendum to the urban development contract for the planned FRA02 data centre. This agreement stipulates that the data centre will in future make a substantial contribution to the sustainable heat supply of the municipality. The project is the first of its kind in Neu-Isenburg to utilise waste heat from a data centre.
After commissioning, FRA02 is designed to recover up to 50 MW of thermal energy. This energy is to be fed into the district heating network constructed and operated by SWNI. This will supply over 600 buildings, including single and multi-family homes, commercial businesses, and public facilities in the Süd commercial area, the Neue Welt residential area, and the Waldschwimmbad, with locally generated heat. The project supports the city's decarbonisation strategy.
Progress and Expansion of Infrastructure
The recently signed addendum to the urban development contract, which follows two years after the original conclusion and four years of collaboration, forms the basis for a potential expansion of the project. Furthermore, it creates the foundation for an infrastructure contract between Goodman and SWNI, which will regulate the specific modalities of heat feed-in from FRA02 into the district heating network. The underlying agreements are based on the design and ecological commitments already enshrined in the 2024 urban development contract, enabling further development of the campus.
Project progress for FRA02 is on schedule. The necessary building permits and the permit under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) have been obtained. Work on the substation is expected to be completed in 2026 as planned, while the overall project completion remains on schedule. Goodman is providing the land for SWNI's planned energy centre, with construction slated to begin in 2028. Goodman is also investing in the technical equipment at the FRA02 site required for connection to the district heating network.
Sustainability and Regional Added Value
Christof Prange, Country Manager Germany at Goodman, stated that the future supply of households, businesses, and public facilities with waste heat from FRA02 represents a long-term benefit for Neu-Isenburg. He emphasised that this development is the result of close collaboration between Goodman, the city, and SWNI over the past four years. All technical, planning, and economic aspects have been clarified, and the project has been translated into concrete infrastructure. The data centre will thus support the city's digital growth while simultaneously being an integral part of its heat supply. Prange highlighted that Goodman aims to create lasting added value for the municipalities in which it invests.
Dirk Gene Hagelstein, Mayor of Neu-Isenburg, emphasised that the decarbonisation of the heat supply is a high priority for Neu-Isenburg and that FRA02 makes a significant contribution to this. He stated that the agreement enables SWNI to advance the waste heat project and build upon Goodman's sustainability measures. These measures include a closed cooling circuit to limit drinking water consumption, photovoltaic systems on the roofs, and green facades. Together, a formerly derelict industrial site is being reactivated, the heating network modernised, and the benefits of digital infrastructure made locally usable.
Kirk Reineke, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Neu-Isenburg GmbH, stressed that FRA02 will in future provide valuable waste heat to the district heating network and help achieve decarbonisation goals. He highlighted the importance of strong, long-term partnerships for such projects and referred to the close cooperation between Goodman and SWNI in overcoming technical and economic challenges. This has laid the groundwork for a project that will permanently benefit the citizens of Neu-Isenburg. Prange added that data centres represent essential infrastructure for digital services and that such projects must be implemented collaboratively to provide long-term added value to municipalities.
