SoftBank to invest up to Euro 75 billion (USD 87 bn) in France for 5 GW AI data centre capacity
Paris, June 1
SoftBank Group Corp. has announced plans to develop and operate 5 gigawatts of artificial intelligence data centre capacity in France, with a total investment of up to Euro 75 billion, marking one of the largest AI infrastructure commitments in Europe.
The announcement was made during the 2026 Choose France summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. As part of the first phase, SoftBank will invest an initial EUR45 billion (USD 52.2 bn) to build 3.1 GW of AI data centre capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031.
According to the company, the project aims to support the growing demand for high-performance computing infrastructure required by AI companies, cloud service providers, enterprises, public institutions and research organisations.
SoftBank Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son said the investment reflects the increasing importance of AI infrastructure in shaping future technological development.
"AI is entering a new era, and the countries that build the infrastructure for this transformation will shape the future of technology, industry and society," Son said.
He added that France possesses the necessary industrial capabilities and talent to emerge as a major AI hub in Europe. "SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France. With its industrial capabilities, talent base and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe," he said.
The first phase of the project includes planned data centre developments in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel and Bouchain in northern France. SoftBank also intends to develop additional sites across the country and will work with SB Energy and other strategic partners on the projects.
French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure described the investment as SoftBank's first major AI data centre initiative in Europe and said it underlined France's ambitions in the AI sector.
The project will include partnerships with French companies such as EDF for the Bouchain data centre and Schneider Electric for a robotised manufacturing plant in Dunkirk.
Bernard Fontana, Chairman and CEO of EDF, said, "The project selected for the Bouchain site demonstrates France's ability to host large-scale digital infrastructure, supported by competitive, sovereign and low-carbon electricity."
SoftBank said the projects would leverage France's advanced electricity grid, availability of industrial land, engineering expertise and strong governmental support for artificial intelligence. The company added that the investment is expected to strengthen France's position as a leading European hub for next-generation digital infrastructure while supporting broader goals of technological and digital sovereignty.
— ANI
Reader Comments
SoftBank choosing France over other European nations shows their strategic thinking. France has reliable nuclear power for these energy-hungry AI data centres. India's renewable energy push could be a similar selling point if we can stabilize the grid. But this is a huge bet—$87 billion! 😱
It's great that France is attracting such investments, but let's not forget the environmental impact. 5 GW of data centres will consume enormous amounts of electricity and water for cooling. Hope they're using green energy and innovative cooling solutions. India can learn from their approach if we want to avoid repeating mistakes. 🌍
As an Indian watching this, I feel a mix of envy and hope. Our digital infrastructure is improving, but Europe is years ahead in terms of industrial policy and FDI attraction. The French government's proactive approach—hosting summits, offering clear incentives—is something we should emulate. Modi ji's team should take some notes. 🇮🇳
SoftBank's track record with WeWork and other bets gives me pause. Yes, AI is the future, but $87 billion in one country? That's a lot of eggs in one basket. India has a thriving AI startup ecosystem with better ROI potential. They should diversify. 😬
This is exciting but also a wake-up call for India. We're sitting on a goldmine of engineering talent, but our data centre costs are high due to land and power issues. If we can't compete, we'll lose the AI race to Europe and the US. Time to fast-track approvals and invest in green energy hubs! ⚡