Data Centre Pelted with Salt and Vinegar, Called Root of Genocide
Environmental activists from the Extinction Rebellion group pelted a Microsoft data centre project in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. They threw dozens of balloons containing a mixture of acid, salt and other chemicals at the building’s foundations, with the aim of accelerating damage to the concrete and rust in the steel.
The action took place last week but was only announced at the start of this week.
The balloons were not filled with ordinary water. The activists mixed acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, salt and acrylic paint. According to the activists’ statement, the acidic substances will erode the concrete surface, while the hydrogen peroxide and salt work to accelerate the rusting of the building’s supporting iron.
The developer, Pure Data Centres, confirmed that the balloons were thrown from outside the perimeter fence, but stated that no significant damage has been found and that construction is proceeding as planned. Amsterdam police are now investigating the case, and the developer intends to pursue legal action.
The source of the activists’ anger is not only the environmental impact, but also the way the project was approved. The city of Amsterdam and the Dutch government have banned the construction of large hyperscale data centres since 2022 due to scarce electricity and water supplies.
However, the developer found a way to push through the construction of a hyperscale data centre in Amsterdam. The building was divided into three separate towers, so it does not meet the definition of “hyperscale”. Overall, the complex will consume electricity equivalent to nearly all households in Amsterdam, as well as 420 million litres of water per year for cooling.
Many Amsterdam residents, both households and businesses, are still waiting their turn for an electricity connection.
In its statement, Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Martijn Dekker explained why they chose this target.
“The climate crisis, the dangers of artificial intelligence, and Microsoft’s support for military operations in Gaza described as genocide, all stem from unaccountable corporate power and a handful of the richest people. We must unite against these anti-democratic forces.”
This action is a continuation of a series of previous protests, such as spraying foul-smelling acid at the offices of a fossil fuel insurance company, and locking the entrance to the Lloyd’s insurance market in London.
On one hand, critics argue that throwing chemicals risks injuring workers and does not solve the root of the problem. On the other hand, the protest highlights the growing global rejection of energy-hungry AI data centres, as well as their connection to human rights issues and policies seen as favouring large corporations over the public interest.
Microsoft has yet to issue an official response regarding the incident.