The firstcolo Group (firstcolo) and Oberhessische Versorgungsbetriebe AG (OVAG) are joining forces for a major infrastructure project in the Wetterau region: the construction of a state-of-the-art data center in Rosbach vor der Höhe, scheduled to go into operation at the end of 2027. With a total investment of around €250 million, a future-oriented digital infrastructure will be created there, offering both German and international companies direct connectivity and sustainable IT capacity.
Executive Board, Oberhessische Versorgungs- und Transport Company mbH: Oswin Veith, Chairman of the Executive Board (left in the picture), Joachim Arnold (second from right). Management, firstcolo: Jerome Evans, CEO and Founder (second from left), Dennis Bergfeld, CFO (right in the picture).
OVAG is taking a 20% stake in the project company developing the data center, underscoring the strategic importance and regional roots of this initiative.
The data center is to be built on an area of over 11,500 square meters and will provide IT power of up to 24 megawatts. The use of innovative cooling methods will enable the operation of high-performance computers and AI applications. The offering will include flexible usage options ranging from individual racks to customer-specific IT spaces, and connectivity will be provided via a carrier-neutral connection and multiple redundant fiber optic connections.
Project sets benchmarks for sustainability and efficiency
By using future-oriented technologies and exclusively renewable energy, the project sets new standards for energy efficiency as well as for operating demanding AI workloads and high-performance computing scenarios. In addition to its technologically leading infrastructure, the project offers significant benefits for the region: firstcolo and OVAG will provide the city of Rosbach with waste heat free of charge for up to 20 years for local heating or district heating networks, further increasing energy efficiency and the attractiveness of the location.
Jerome Evans, CEO & Founder of firstcolo, commented: “With the data center in Rosbach, we are not only building a powerful digital hub for companies worldwide, but also a place where energy efficiency, technological excellence, and future-oriented infrastructure go hand in hand. The partnership with OVAG as a regional energy provider strengthens our vision of delivering digital and sustainable infrastructure together with strong partners.” Looking at the benefits for the city of Rosbach, Evans emphasized: “This cooperation is a milestone for firstcolo and a strong signal for Rosbach as a location: we are creating jobs, investing in future-proof technologies, and at the same time contributing to regional value creation.”
OVAG Executive Board member Joachim Arnold emphasized: “As a reliable regional utility, in addition to capital we contribute, in particular, our proven expertise in security of supply, promoting regional development, and sustainable commitment to projects. Our participation in the project is also a modern expression of the municipal supply mandate and the strategic direction of the corporate group to combine innovation and public services.”
Oswin Veith, Chairman of the Management Board of the entire OVAG Group, pointed out: “Data centers will play an increasingly important role in the future—especially for our corporate group to ensure fulfillment of our supply mandate. Whether artificial intelligence, cloud computing, or the advance of digitalization in all areas of life—rapidly growing volumes of data require growing capacities and infrastructures, both in the form of state-of-the-art data centers and for the provision of electrical power and the supply of pure, clean drinking water.”
In conclusion, the two Managing Directors of the OVAG Group, Veith and Arnold, stated: “In addition, the topic of data security is becoming more important—for us as operators of critical infrastructures, but also for municipalities as a whole. Through our commitment to the project, we are making a considerable contribution to increasing the resilience of our home region and to the further development of the region as a location for digital infrastructure.”
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About OVAG:
Oberhessische Versorgungsbetriebe AG (OVAG) has reliably supplied people in the region with energy and drinking water for more than 110 years. In addition to electricity, it is also a point of contact for gas and heat. As an electricity provider, it ensures the supply of electricity to around 500,000 people in more than 60 cities and municipalities. OVAG is Hesse’s second-largest drinking water supplier, serving 750,000 people. In addition, OVAG has been a pioneer in renewable energy for decades and invests particularly in generation projects in the areas of wind and PV parks. Thanks to many years of experience in this field, it is also a competent partner for municipalities, businesses, and private individuals when it comes to savings potential, innovative technologies, and climate protection measures. OVAG is also a driving force in the region in the field of e-mobility, for example in expanding public and private charging infrastructure.
