Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced plans to invest €7.8 billion in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany by 2040, aiming to meet Europe’s digital sovereignty needs. The investment is expected to stimulate the local cloud community, contribute €17.2 billion to Germany’s GDP, and create new jobs. AWS’s commitment ensures that all operations of the European Sovereign Cloud will be controlled exclusively by EU-based personnel. This move is part of AWS’s continued investment in Europe, with the new cloud infrastructure providing customers with control over their data and the ability to meet operational autonomy and data residency requirements within the EU.
- AWS plans to invest €7.8 billion in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany through 2040, aiming to meet Europe’s digital sovereignty needs.
- The investment is expected to contribute €17.2 billion to Germany’s GDP and create an average of 2,800 full-time equivalent jobs annually in local businesses.
- The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will provide customers with more control and choice over their data, meeting stringent operational autonomy and data residency requirements within the EU.
First AWS Region Launching in Brandenburg
The first AWS Region in the State of Brandenburg is expected to be up and running by the end of 2025. This development will be accessible to all customers, marking a significant step forward in the project. AWS’s hefty financial commitment is set to have a profound impact on the local economy with accelerated productivity gains, the digital transformation of businesses, and the empowering of the AWS Partner Network.
Prof. Dr. Jörg Steinbach, Brandenburg’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy, has commended the AWS investment. He believes that this investment will strengthen Brandenburg as a business location and enhance its digital economy.
Creating Employment Opportunities
In addition to boosting the economy, the project aims to create an average of 2,800 full-time jobs annually in local German businesses, spanning largely construction, facility maintenance, engineering and telecommunications.
AWS is also planning to add some new permanent roles to its team. These positions will include software engineers, systems developers and solutions architects, and will be exclusively located in the EU. AWS has been actively collaborating with local communities to develop long-term, innovative programmes. These initiatives are designed to bridge the skills gap and prepare learners for future tech jobs.
Continuing to Invest in Europe’s Future
Over the past 25 years, AWS has made substantial investments in Europe’s infrastructure, jobs and skills. This latest investment shows a steadfast commitment to Europe’s digital future.
“This investment reinforces our commitment to offer customers the most advanced set of sovereignty controls, privacy safeguards, and security features available in the cloud. We’re investing heavily in new local talent and infrastructure, which will help provide the operational sovereignty our customers require,” said Max Peterson, Vice President of Sovereign Cloud at AWS.
More Control, More Choice for Customers
AWS maintains that customers should have control over their data and the freedom to choose how they secure and manage it. The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will provide customers with the autonomy to meet stringent operational and data residency requirements within the EU.
Final Thoughts
AWS’s substantial investment in the European Sovereign Cloud is a bold and calculated move that promises to yield significant benefits for the European digital economy, in particular the German economy. The initiative sets a high bar for cloud infrastructure investments in the future. It’s indeed a welcome development that will undoubtedly shape the tech landscape in the years to come.
FAQ
Q: What is the AWS European Sovereign Cloud?
A: The AWS European Sovereign Cloud is a new independent cloud for Europe, designed to provide further choice to help public sector organisations and customers in highly regulated industries meet their evolving sovereignty needs. It will utilise the full power of AWS with the same familiar architecture, expansive service portfolio, and APIs that customers use today, though separate from existing AWS Regions.
Q: What is AWS’s long-term investment plan for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany?
A: AWS announced plans to invest €7.8 billion in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany through 2040. This investment reflects AWS’s commitment to meeting Europe’s digital sovereignty requirements, with the first AWS Region planned to launch in the State of Brandenburg, Germany, by the end of 2025.
Q: How will AWS’s investment impact the local community in Germany?
A: AWS’s long-term investment is expected to lead to a ripple effect in the local cloud community by accelerating productivity gains, empowering digital transformation, upskilling the cloud and digital workforce, and creating renewable energy projects. The investment is estimated to contribute €17.2 billion to Germany’s GDP through 2040 and support an average of 2,800 full-time equivalent jobs in local German businesses each year.
Q: What kind of job opportunities will AWS create in Germany for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud?
A: AWS will create new highly-skilled permanent roles in Germany to build and operate the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. These roles will include software engineers, systems developers and solutions architects. Additionally, positions within the broader local economy related to construction, facility maintenance, engineering and telecommunications will be part of the AWS data centre supply chain.
Q: How will customer data be managed in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud?
A: The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will provide customers with the capability to meet stringent operational autonomy and data residency requirements within the EU. All customer data and metadata created while using the AWS European Sovereign Cloud will be kept within the EU, ensuring data sovereignty and compliance with regulations.
Q: What is AWS’s approach to workforce development and education initiatives in Germany?
A: AWS partners with local communities in Germany to develop cloud workforce and education initiatives, helping to bridge the skills gap and prepare individuals for future tech jobs. Initiatives include apprenticeship programmes for data centres, cloud computing certifications, and partnerships with organisations like Siemens AG and the German Chamber of Commerce to upskill the workforce.
Q: How will the AWS European Sovereign Cloud contribute to the digital economy in Brandenburg, Germany?
A: The AWS European Sovereign Cloud’s presence in Brandenburg will strengthen the state as a business location by investing in modern and sustainable data centre infrastructure. This infrastructure is seen as crucial for a strong digital economy, supporting economic development and creating opportunities for the local community.
