As of late October 2026, a planned four-billion-euro project by the U.S. AI company Anthropic in Hirschneuses, Middle Franconia, has been put on hold. The corporation intends to build a high-performance AI data center at the site; however, the local power grid currently lacks sufficient available connection capacity to accommodate the various large-scale projects competing for space in the region. Grid operator N-ERGIE has already allocated capacity to the nearby Playmobil site in Dietenhofen for its own data center, but no such connection commitment has been granted to Anthropic. Consequently, inadequate power infrastructure is currently blocking one of the largest planned investments in Germany’s digital infrastructure.
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Four-billion-euro investment stalled by power connection issues
Anthropic, the developer of Claude—one of the world’s most well-known AI systems—is reportedly planning a data center near Neuhof an der Zenn with an investment of approximately four billion euros. Such a facility requires a substantial power supply to keep its servers and cooling systems running continuously. Consequently, the lack of a secured grid connection has become a major obstacle to the project’s further development.
Claudia Wust, the mayor of Neuhof an der Zenn, confirmed that planning has come to a standstill. According to her, the utility company N-ERGIE has currently reserved available grid capacity for a project by the Playmobil Group, leaving the site at Hirschneuses without the necessary planning certainty. Wust is calling for the available grid capacity to be divided between the two projects. However, this does not yet represent a definitive rejection of Anthropic’s proposal.
Playmobil Secures 100 Megawatts – Anthropic Must Wait
While the multi-billion-euro project in Hirschneuses remains stalled, the Horst Brandstätter Group is already making concrete progress in Dietenhofen. The company intends to transform its former Playmobil factory into a data center campus. The initial plan calls for a grid connection capacity of 100 megawatts, with the potential for further expansion. According to the company, N-ERGIE has already guaranteed the necessary grid capacity.
The approximately 18-hectare industrial site offers favorable conditions for this development. It already features a 110-kilovolt connection with two separate supply lines, as well as high-capacity data links. Furthermore, some of the existing buildings can be repurposed. The corporate group plans to invest a sum in the triple-digit millions (in euros). Under the name “Playmobil digital,” the facility will eventually allow companies and international data center operators to utilize its infrastructure and computing power.
Power Grid Unable to Supply Sufficient Capacity for Planned Data Centers
Data provided by N-ERGIE illustrates the true scale of the problem. The grid operator has received several connection requests for data centers; collectively, these projects require roughly twice the electrical power typically consumed by the entire city of Nuremberg. However, the requested capacity is not currently available in full. Moreover, the grid operator is obligated to ensure a reliable power supply for its existing customers.
It is important to distinguish between electricity generation and grid connection capacity. While Germany as a whole is capable of generating or importing sufficient electricity, this does not mean that every individual location can draw the desired amount of power. The critical factors are local power lines, substations, and the upstream grid infrastructure. A data center with a 100-megawatt connection capacity—if operated at full, continuous load—would have a theoretical annual consumption of 876 million kilowatt-hours. Actual consumption, however, will depend on the facility’s eventual utilization rate.
Multi-billion-euro investments are increasingly dependent on power infrastructure
This conflict highlights a fundamental weakness when it comes to attracting power-intensive, future-oriented technologies. Germany aims to attract world-leading AI companies and build new digital infrastructure; yet, grid bottlenecks can prevent investors from realizing their projects in suitable locations. Consequently, land, capital, and technical expertise are no longer sufficient on their own. Without a guaranteed, reliable electrical grid connection, even multi-billion-euro projects remain nothing more than plans for the time being.
The long lead times required to expand power infrastructure are particularly problematic. New power lines and substations necessitate technical planning, official permits, and substantial investment—not to mention the long delivery times for large transformers and other essential equipment. As a result, a lack of grid capacity cannot be resolved in the short term. For investors, this creates a significant locational disadvantage, as other regions may be able to provide firm commitments for grid connections more quickly.
Following the loss of 350 industrial jobs, a new major consumer of electricity is set to emerge
At the end of June, Playmobil’s German toy production operations in Dietenhofen came to an end, resulting in the loss of approximately 350 jobs. Manufacturing was relocated to Malta and the Czech Republic for cost reasons. Now, the former production site is slated for a new economic purpose as a hub for digital infrastructure. However, the corporate group has yet to provide a specific figure regarding the number of new jobs this will create.
Furthermore, data centers differ significantly from traditional manufacturing facilities. While they require substantial electrical power, they employ relatively few staff during ongoing operations. Consequently, the total investment amount cannot be used to infer a corresponding impact on employment. Similarly, there is a lack of concrete information regarding jobs and regional economic value creation for the planned Anthropic project. A significant portion of the investment will likely be spent on imported servers, processors, and other IT equipment.
Germany risks losing out on multi-billion euro investments due to insufficient grid capacity
The Playmobil Group rejects the accusation that it is deliberately obstructing other ventures, stating that its data center is, in principle, open to international companies as well. Moreover, the company notes that its own planning process has been underway since 2025. The conflict, therefore, does not stem from an outright prohibition of the Anthropic project, but rather from the limited availability of electrical grid connection capacity.
Nevertheless, this serves as a serious warning sign for Germany as a business location. An international AI corporation is considering an investment of approximately four billion euros, yet it cannot secure the necessary planning certainty regarding its power connection. While policymakers and business leaders discuss digitalization and artificial intelligence, the practical implementation is currently faltering due to the absence of a fundamental infrastructural prerequisite. Whether Anthropic will be able to realize its plans in the future will therefore depend largely on the expansion and allocation of available grid capacity.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: BR24 (29.10.26) – Immobilien Zeitung (29.10.26) – Nürnberger Nachrichten (30.10.26) – Horst Brandstätter Group (28.10.26)