Friesen Elektra and IOEMA Explore Fibre-Optic Connection
Planned IOEMA-1 submarine cable could connect Sande to European data networks.
Sande / Rotterdam – Friesen Elektra Green Energy AG, based in Sande, and IOEMA-1 Holding B.V., based in Rotterdam, signed a memorandum of understanding on 21 October 2026. They intend to explore how a planned data centre in Sande, in the district of Friesland, could be connected to other European locations via IOEMA-1. The site is already covered by a legally binding zoning plan (Bebauungsplan No. 54) of the Municipality of Sande. The planned IOEMA-1 submarine cable system is intended to connect the site to several European countries via Wilhelmshaven.
Data Centre in the Hydrogen Park Friesland
Friesen Elektra plans to develop a data centre within the Hydrogen Park. The project is intended to complement the existing park concept and create synergies. The data centre is also expected to source electricity through a planned connection to the 380 kV extra-high-voltage grid and from surplus renewable electricity generated in the region. The plans also include infrastructure for grid connectivity and the supply of energy, water and heat. Alongside a reliable energy supply, connectivity to national and international data networks is essential for modern data centres. Redundant fibre-optic connections to Amsterdam, Hamburg and Frankfurt are already in place.
“Connectivity to international data networks is crucial. The collaboration with IOEMA-1 is therefore an important step towards incorporating these requirements into our regional site planning at an early stage,” says Maximilian von Wedel, CEO of Friesen Elektra Green Energy AG.
Submarine Cable Connects Wilhelmshaven to Four Countries
IOEMA is developing an open, operator-neutral fibre-optic submarine cable system in the North Sea, spanning more than 1,600 kilometres. It is intended to connect Wilhelmshaven with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway, and to create independent data connections for data centres as well as cloud, AI, and telecommunications companies. The partners intend to explore how the data centre could be connected to the submarine cable system via terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure linking the site to Wilhelmshaven. The next step will be to assess the technical feasibility and economic viability of the proposed connection.
“With our planned submarine cable system, we aim to establish new direct data connections between Germany and several European countries. This collaboration offers the opportunity to link this infrastructure with a future-oriented data centre location in north-western Germany,” says Eckhard Bruckschen, CEO of IOEMA-1 Holding B.V.
About Friesen Elektra
Friesen Elektra Green Energy AG, headquartered in Sande, Lower Saxony, develops and delivers energy and infrastructure projects across north-western Germany, with a focus on wind energy, solar photovoltaics and hydrogen. These include the Hybrid Energy Park Sande (Hybrider Energiepark Sande) and Hydrogen Park Friesland (Wasserstoffpark Friesland). www.friesen-elektra.de
About IOEMA
IOEMA is developing an open, operator-neutral fibre-optic submarine cable system in the North Sea, spanning more than 1,600 kilometres. IOEMA-1 Holding B.V. is the project company for the planned IOEMA-1 fibre-optic submarine cable system in the North Sea. It is intended to connect Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway. www.ioemafibre.eu
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