SoftBank says it will invest up to €75 billion to build French data centers

In a bold move, SoftBank Group has revealed its intention to invest up to €75 billion (approximately $87 billion) to enhance data center infrastructure in France. This substantial investment aims to create and manage an additional 5 gigawatts of data center capacity, marking a significant expansion in the region. The initial phase of this ambitious initiative will focus on establishing data centers in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain, with the objective of delivering 3.1 gigawatts of capacity to the Hauts-de-France area by 2031. This project is set to be SoftBank's most significant investment in AI infrastructure across Europe. French Economic Minister Roland Lescure praised the announcement, calling it a “testament to President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of positioning France as a premier hub in the AI value chain.” While SoftBank is making strides in France, the landscape for data center construction in the United States is becoming increasingly contentious, with rising environmental concerns and debates surrounding the impact of data centers on the electrical grid and utility costs. Despite these challenges, SoftBank has also disclosed plans for a data center in Ohio, which will be fueled by a new 9.2 gigawatt natural gas power plant.