One of Denmark’s largest estates to sell farmland for controversial data center

One of Denmark’s largest estates, Bregentved, plans to sell 200 hectares of farmland for a major data center development, citing low agricultural returns and political pressures on farming, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The land, located in southeastern Zealand between a motorway and railway, is valued far higher for data infrastructure than for farming, according to Jens Blomgren-Hansen, chairman of Bregentved’s board. “The expected return on agriculture in Denmark is relatively modest,” he said, adding that political debates suggest farming will only grow more difficult.

The estate, owned by the Moltke family for generations, has long avoided selling land but is making an exception due to the scale of the investment. Under the deal, Bregentved would retain the option to repurchase the land later. Profits from the sale—described as “substantial” even after compensating nearby residents—would help secure the estate’s future, Blomgren-Hansen said.

The proposed data center, one of Denmark’s largest, would be built by atNorth and require ministerial approval, as the site lies outside urban boundaries in a protected landscape. Local opposition has already emerged, with residents criticizing the concentration of industrial projects—including high-voltage power lines—in the area.

Bregentved has pledged to mitigate visual impact by screening the facility with trees and offering to buy nearby homes at 15% above market value. Blomgren-Hansen acknowledged the disruption but called the site “a narrow strip between motorway and railway” that meets all technical requirements, including access to green energy and district heating networks.