SoftBank Unveils €75 Billion Initiative to Expand Data Centers in France

SoftBank Group has revealed intentions to invest up to €75 billion (around $87 billion) to enhance data center capacity in France.

The initiative aims to establish and oversee an additional 5 gigawatts of data center capacity. The first phase will concentrate on building facilities in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain, aiming to deliver 3.1 gigawatts for the Hauts-de-France region by 2031.

As a prominent supporter and partner of OpenAI, SoftBank emphasized that this investment represents its largest commitment to AI infrastructure in Europe.

French Economic Minister Roland Lescure labeled this announcement as a “showcase of President Emmanuel Macron’s vision for positioning France as a key player in the AI value chain.”

In the United States, increasing opposition to new data center projects is driven by environmental issues and potential effects on the electrical grid and utility costs. Nevertheless, SoftBank has already announced plans for a data center in Ohio, backed by a new 9.2-gigawatt natural gas facility.