SoftBank Unveils €75 Billion Initiative to Strengthen Data Center Infrastructure in France

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

This initiative aims to create and manage an extra 5 gigawatts of data center capacity. The initial stage will concentrate on constructing facilities in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain, with the goal of supplying 3.1 gigawatts for the Hauts-de-France region by 2031.

As a major partner of OpenAI, SoftBank emphasized that this investment represents its largest commitment to AI infrastructure in Europe so far.

French Economic Minister Roland Lescure remarked that this announcement embodies President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to establish France as a key player in the AI value chain.

In the United States, opposition to new data center projects is increasing due to environmental concerns and potential effects on the electrical grid and utility costs. Nevertheless, SoftBank has already proposed a data center in Ohio, backed by an upcoming 9.2-gigawatt natural gas facility.