SoftBank to invest up to €75 billion in French data centers
Original: SoftBank says it will invest up to €75 billion to build French data centers
Why This Matters
Major AI infrastructure investment signals France's growing role in European AI ecosystem
SoftBank Group announced plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) to build data centers in France, aiming to develop 5 gigawatts of capacity. First phase targets 3.1 gigawatts in Hauts-de-France by 2031.
SoftBank Group plans to spend up to €75 billion (around $87 billion) to expand data center capacity in France, developing up to 5 gigawatts of additional capacity. The first phase involves building data centers in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain to deliver 3.1 gigawatts to the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. SoftBank, an investor and customer of OpenAI, describes this as its largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. French economic minister Roland Lescure called it a testament to President Macron's ambition to position France as a leading AI destination. The announcement comes amid growing opposition to data center construction in the US over environmental concerns and electrical grid impacts.