Croatian Government Unveils Plans for ‘Pantheon’ AI Data Centre in Topusko
Residents of the small town of Topusko, south of Zagreb, will see their community transformed into a regional digital hub under plans unveiled Monday by the Croatian government for a giant data centre and innovation campus codenamed Pantheon. The project, announced by officials, positions Croatia as a key player in Europe’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to Balkaninsight.
The Pantheon complex, described by the government as a "giant data centre and innovation campus," is slated for construction in Topusko, a town roughly 60 kilometers south of the capital. The initiative aims to attract major tech firms and AI startups, offering dedicated space for high-performance computing and research facilities. Balkaninsight, which first reported the plans, stated the project represents one of the largest single investments in digital infrastructure in the region.
Local officials in Topusko have welcomed the announcement, citing potential job creation and economic revitalization for the area, which has seen population decline in recent years. The government has not yet disclosed the total investment value or a specific construction timeline, but the project is part of a broader national strategy to develop digital capacity and compete with established European data centre hubs in Frankfurt, London, and Amsterdam.
The Pantheon campus is designed to house advanced AI training and inference systems, requiring substantial energy and cooling resources. Croatia’s relatively low electricity costs and access to renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power, were cited as key factors in the site selection. The government plans to offer tax incentives and streamlined permitting processes to attract tenants.
Environmental groups have raised preliminary concerns about the energy consumption of the facility, though no formal opposition has been registered. The government has stated that the campus will be built to meet high sustainability standards, including the use of energy-efficient cooling technologies and a commitment to sourcing 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2030.
The Pantheon project will create an estimated 1,500 direct jobs during the construction phase and up to 500 permanent positions once operational, according to government projections. The innovation campus component is designed to foster collaboration between academia and industry, with plans to include a research center affiliated with the University of Zagreb.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, in a statement released Monday, called the Pantheon project "a cornerstone of our digital future." He added that the facility would "put Croatia on the map as a serious destination for AI development in Europe." The government plans to launch an international tender for the construction contract within the next six months.