South Korea · U.S. · Spain · CNBC Technology
America’s data center fight is a preview of what's to come for the rest of the world
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As the AI boom becomes a major part of political debate, the public backlash against data centers in the U.S. is spreading to Europe and Asia, raising risks for investors.
Key facts
- But a community's ability "to derail a $10 billion [data center] plan is powerful," said Asya Walters, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal
- Public opposition has already impacted around $42 billion of data center investments in Europe, in account delays and cancellations, according to research from STL Partners
- More than 70 data center projects in Europe were rejected or restricted between January and April, more than in all of 2025, according to the European Data Center Monitor
- South Korea, home to tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, sits at the heart of the AI supply chain
Summary
Across the Atlantic, negative sentiment is growing in Europe, which has more at stake due to its densely populated countries and higher electricity prices, experts told CNBC. Similar tensions are emerging in South Korea, with growing opposition to data centers near residential areas and proposals for tighter local restrictions, even as the national government pushes to accelerate development. Public opposition has already impacted around $42 billion of data center investments in Europe, in account delays and cancellations, according to research from STL Partners. The pushback could be the "straw that breaks the camel's back," Olivier Darmouni, associate professor at HEC Paris who specializes in the energy transition, told CNBC.