SoftBank Unveils €75 Billion Investment Initiative to Grow Data Centers in France

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

This initiative is set to establish and operate an additional 5 gigawatts of data center capacity. The first phase will focus 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 key supporter and collaborator of OpenAI, SoftBank noted that this will represent its largest investment in AI infrastructure within Europe.

French Economic Minister Roland Lescure called this announcement a “testament to President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of positioning France as a central player in the AI value chain.”

In the U.S., rising opposition to new data center projects is fueled by environmental concerns and their potential effects on the electric grid and utility costs. However, SoftBank has already disclosed plans to establish a data center in Ohio, backed by a new 9.2-gigawatt natural gas facility.