Groups in 15 European countries hold coordinated protests against data centers, with Edinburgh next on Nov. 14

[Update, November 9, 2026, 4:38] The protest dates (November 6–7) and the nature of the Edinburgh action (a march to the Scottish Parliament) have been established, so they have been removed from the list of unconfirmed points

Opposition to data centers built for AI has started to spread beyond the United States. More than 100 groups in 15 European countries reportedly held coordinated protests over two days, calling for a temporary halt (a moratorium) on building large data centers. A protest under the banner "Stop Dirty Data Centres" was reportedly held at Brick Lane in London, and the next action is said to be planned for Edinburgh on November 14. However, it is not yet known how many people took part or how the companies named by protesters have responded.

For Japanese companies: Companies that build or operate data centers in Europe, or that supply power, cooling or electrical equipment for them, should check with their local partners this month whether permits and construction schedules for their projects have been affected. Most companies that simply use European cloud services face no immediate impact.

What happened: more than 100 groups in 15 countries acted on the same days

According to reports, the protests took place simultaneously in 15 countries over two days. More than 100 groups are said to have taken part. Their demand is a temporary halt on new construction of large data centers. Groups in different places appear to share the argument that these facilities consume large amounts of electricity and water and put a strain on local power grids and daily life.

In London, a protest was reportedly held on Brick Lane in the east of the city (according to a report dated November 6). On the same day, November 6, a protest was also reported at a Microsoft construction site in Amsterdam. What sets this apart from earlier opposition is that, rather than scattered local resistance, groups coordinated their timing and acted across borders.

Why it matters: the U.S. backlash is starting to take the form of a movement in Europe

In the United States, opposition to data centers has become a political issue. Around the November 3 elections, whether to allow construction was put to the test in ballot measures, local councils and state power regulation. In Georgia, Democrats won a majority on the Public Service Commission, which sets electricity rates, and the strain on power grids is also being debated in Texas and Ohio.

Companies are aware of this mood. OpenAI has rebranded its data centers as "AI compute campuses" and will reportedly start lobbying in support of "community agreements" with states and localities (Axios, November 1). Google has made commitments to the local community in Wyoming. Similar local measures may come to be expected in Europe as well.

The latest action in Europe shows that the backlash has crossed the Atlantic and is becoming an organized, cross-border movement. Electricity is expensive in Europe, and spare grid capacity is limited. For companies looking to expand computing capacity for AI, the time it takes to obtain construction permits could grow even longer.

What we don't know yet

Many important points remain unclear.

The first is turnout. The figures of 15 countries and more than 100 groups have been reported, but how many people actually took to the streets has not. Even if the number of groups is large, the movement carries different weight if each one is small.

The second is the companies' response. It has not been reported whether the named companies will revisit their construction plans, add commitments to local communities or stay silent. It is also unclear how national governments and local authorities will respond to the call for a moratorium.

This article is based on media reports. We have not been able to directly verify the text of the original reports or any statements from the protest groups or the companies. The breakdown of the 15 countries and the list of named companies and facilities remain unverified.

The next key moment: Edinburgh on November 14

The next action is reportedly scheduled for November 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The UK has promoted data centers for AI as part of its national growth strategy. How much opposition gathers on its home ground will offer a clue as to whether the movement is a one-off or will continue.

There are three things to watch. How many people turn out in Edinburgh. Whether the named companies respond publicly. And whether European countries or local authorities move to review their permitting procedures for construction. If any one of these shifts, it will gradually weigh on the timelines and costs of plans to expand AI computing capacity in Europe.