SoftBank to Invest Up to €75 Billion in French Data Centers

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SoftBank Group announced today that it plans to spend up to €75 billion, approximately $87 billion, to significantly expand data center capacity in France. This ambitious investment aims to develop and operate up to 5 gigawatts of additional data center capacity, underscoring the company's commitment to enhancing its presence in the region. The initial phase of this plan involves the construction of data centers in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain.

These new facilities are expected to deliver 3.1 gigawatts of capacity to the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. SoftBank, which is both an investor in and customer of OpenAI, emphasized that this will be its largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. French economic minister Roland Lescure welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “testament to President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to position France as a leading destination all along the AI value chain.” This investment not only highlights SoftBank's confidence in France's potential but also reflects the country's efforts to become a hub for AI and data center development.

In contrast, the United States is experiencing growing opposition to data center construction due to environmental concerns and questions about the impact on the electrical grid and utility prices. However, SoftBank has recently announced plans to build a data center in Ohio, which will be powered by a new 9.2 gigawatt natural gas plant, demonstrating its continued commitment to expanding its data center capabilities. This significant investment by SoftBank is poised to have a substantial impact on France's data center landscape and its ambitions to become a key player in the AI sector.

As the demand for data center capacity continues to grow, SoftBank's move is likely to spur further investments and developments in the region.