Heat from Servers Could Power Wrocław. Citylink and KOGENERACJA S.A. launch Collaboration

Data centers are primarily associated with servers, high computing power, and advanced IT infrastructure. However, each of these devices generates significant amounts of heat during operation. Instead of releasing it irreversibly into the atmosphere, this energy can be reused — including for the needs of the municipal district heating network.

On July 28, 2026, Zespół Elektrociepłowni Wrocławskich KOGENERACJA S.A., part of PGE Energia Ciepła, signed a letter of intent with Citylink regarding the utilization of waste heat from the data center within the Citylink Wrocław Stadion complex.

This marks another step toward bridging the expansion of digital infrastructure with the energy transition of Wrocław.

A Data Center Designed with Energy Recovery in Mind

Citylink Wrocław Stadion is a modern Data Center facility located on Szczecińska Street in Wrocław. As part of this investment, an industrial-scale data center is being developed, featuring infrastructure engineered to enable the recovery of thermal energy generated during server operation.

In practice, this means that heat that would typically need to be dissipated via cooling systems can instead be captured, properly processed, and, in the future, fed into the municipal heating grid.

The Data Center has been designed to allow for further expansion. As the facility’s computing power grows, the amount of energy available for recovery can increase accordingly.

Infrastructure Prepared for AI and Cloud Services Growth

The rising adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud solutions, and advanced data analytics is driving an exponential surge in demand for computing power. Modern servers — particularly infrastructure dedicated to running AI models — require not only vast amounts of electricity but also highly efficient cooling systems.

It is precisely this interdependence that opens up new opportunities for the energy sector. The larger and more intensively utilized the IT infrastructure, the higher the potential for recovering the heat it produces.

“This project will allow us to gain valuable experience in designing and operating modern data centers, with a particular focus on infrastructure dedicated to AI nodes. The dynamic growth of the artificial intelligence and cloud technology markets generates unprecedented demand for computing power, which entails the necessity of dissipating massive amounts of heat. Our facility includes an advanced industrial-scale Data Center that fits these requirements perfectly. This collaboration not only strengthens our position as an innovative partner to the energy sector, but also demonstrates how modern digital infrastructure can actively contribute to building the energy ecosystem of the future,” says Michał Starybrat, Development Director at Citylink.

Waste Heat as a Local Energy Source

Heat recovery from data centers is no longer just a concept of the future. In many European cities, energy produced during server operation is already being utilized for space heating or to support local district heating networks.

A key advantage of this solution is the predictable operating profile of IT infrastructure. A Data Center operates around the clock, meaning the heat it generates can serve as a stable supplement to other energy sources in the municipal grid.

For KOGENERACJA, the collaboration with Citylink represents another initiative aimed at identifying new, highly efficient heat sources for Wrocław.

“We are consistently seeking new heat sources that can support the transformation of the district heating system in Wrocław. Working with Citylink is another step in developing projects that leverage waste heat. It confirms the growing role of expanding digital infrastructure in building a modern, energy-efficient economy. This solution allows for a more effective utilization of locally available energy,” emphasizes Dariusz Witkowski, President of the Management Board of KOGENERACJA S.A.

Energy That Shouldn’t Go to Waste

Every unit of heat released from a data center into the atmosphere represents energy that has already been generated but not repurposed.

Because of this, modern industrial and technology facility design no longer ends at ensuring adequate power supply, security, or cooling. It also involves analyzing the entire energy lifecycle and identifying opportunities for reuse.

At Citylink Wrocław Stadion, the Data Center infrastructure has been planned so that heat recovery potential can scale alongside the entire facility. As a result, the data center can serve a dual purpose in the future: providing space for advanced digital systems while simultaneously supporting the local energy network.

Digital Technology as Part of the Urban Ecosystem

The signing of the letter of intent kicks off a phase of cooperation and development of the technical solutions required to harness waste heat from the Data Center. While the project requires further technical, engineering, and operational analyses, it already highlights the trajectory of modern infrastructure development.

A data center does not have to be a closed facility operating independently of its surroundings. Properly designed, it can become an integral part of a city’s broader energy ecosystem.

The partnership between Citylink and KOGENERACJA proves that the growth of the ICT sector can support not only economic digitalization, but also a more efficient use of locally available energy. And heat — previously seen merely as a byproduct of server operations — can become a valuable real-world asset for Wrocław.