Le data center de Google divise
A proposed 200-hectare Google data center in Étrechet, near Châteauroux, has divided residents and local officials. The mayor and five municipal deputies resigned, citing a lack of transparency and concerns about environmental impacts, electricity infrastructure, water use, heat and biodiversity.
Google is planning a data center campus of roughly 200 hectares in Étrechet, southeast of Châteauroux, with eight to 10 server buildings on former agricultural land. The project has the backing of Châteauroux Métropole, which owns the site, while local opponents say the municipality has little influence because planning powers were transferred to the intermunicipal authority.
Mayor Florence Laurent and five deputies resigned after criticizing the lack of transparency and their inability to have residents' concerns taken into account. Residents have raised questions about biodiversity, heat, noise, water use and a proposed 400-kilovolt transmission line to be built by Réseau de transport d'électricité. Supporters describe the project as an opportunity for jobs and economic activity, arguing that it would use little water and could redirect waste heat to the district heating network.
The project is subject to a public debate organized by the Commission nationale du débat public, with impact studies expected to be made public when the process begins. Google said the project remains at an early stage, while opponents are seeking an independent study focused particularly on water impacts.