Nebius first customer of Rotterdam AI factory

The AI factory that VOLT wants to build on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam has secured its first customer. The Amsterdam-based AI cloud company Nebius has signed a letter of intent to purchase a significant portion of the factory's computing power. This agreement marks an important step towards securing funding for the €7 billion project. Han de Groot, CEO of VOLT, confirmed the deal, which was first reported by the Financieele Dagblad and De Telegraaf.

In the collaboration, responsibilities are clearly divided: VOLT is responsible for building the infrastructure and placing the AI chips, while Nebius rents the computing power and resells it to other companies that train or deploy AI models. The deal includes up to 200 megawatts of capacity and approximately 100,000 advanced AI chips, covering the first phase of the project.

However, the conclusion of a definitive purchase agreement is still pending. This rental contract is essential for banks and investors, as it increases the likelihood that they will be willing to lend money for the construction. The total costs of the first phase of the factory are estimated at €7 billion, with a construction schedule set to start in early 2028 and a completed capacity that will only be operational by the end of 2029 or early 2030.

VOLT has ambitious plans for expanding the campus, which could grow to six buildings if more large customers are attracted. Regarding energy supply, the factory is located strategically close to existing offshore wind farms, allowing for direct power supply without reliance on the overloaded Dutch electricity grid. This project is entirely funded by private investments and has not received any European subsidies, placing it in a unique position within Dutch AI development.

Read the full article from AI Insider.