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

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

This project aims to establish and manage an additional 5 gigawatts of data center capacity. The first phase will concentrate on building facilities in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain, with a goal of delivering 3.1 gigawatts for the Hauts-de-France region by 2031.

As a major supporter and partner of OpenAI, SoftBank emphasized that this investment represents its largest dedication to AI infrastructure in Europe thus far.

French Economic Minister Roland Lescure characterized this announcement as a reflection of President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to position France as a pivotal player in the AI value chain.

In the United States, increasing resistance to new data center projects is fueled by environmental concerns and potential effects on the electrical grid and utility prices. Despite this, SoftBank has already laid out plans for a data center in Ohio, backed by a newly proposed 9.2-gigawatt natural gas facility.