SoftBank pledges record €75 billion for AI data centers in France, Europe's largest AI infrastructure bet
Japanese tech investor SoftBank announced a record €75 billion investment to build AI data centers in northern France, aiming for over 5 gigawatts of capacity and marking Europe's largest AI infrastructure project.
SoftBank Group Corp. has pledged to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) in artificial intelligence infrastructure in France, a move that positions the country as a leading European hub for AI computing. The announcement, made by SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, comes just ahead of the ninth 'Choose France' summit at the Palace of Versailles, where President Emmanuel Macron will court foreign investors.
The scale of the investment
The total investment could reach €75 billion, with €45 billion earmarked for the first phase through 2031. The project targets the development of more than 5 gigawatts of data center capacity — roughly triple the 1.5 gigawatts installed in France at the end of 2025. The initial phase will deliver 3.1 gigawatts of capacity to the Hauts-de-France region.
It will be the largest investment in Europe in artificial intelligence infrastructure: €75 billion in total, of which €45 billion by 2031, in Hauts-de-France.
Locations and timeline
Three sites have been identified for the data centers: Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain, all in the northern Hauts-de-France region. According to SoftBank, the centers are expected to become operational in two phases, with the first coming online in 2028 and the second by 2031.
- Previous Choose France summit sets record with €20 billion in announced projects.
- President Macron visits Tokyo; SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son meets Macron, influencing investment decision.
- SoftBank announces €75 billion AI data center investment plan in La Tribune Dimanche interview.
- Ninth Choose France summit at Palace of Versailles, where Macron will promote foreign investment.
- First phase of data centers expected to become operational.
- Second phase target completion; 3.1 GW capacity delivered to Hauts-de-France region.
Strategic partnership with Schneider Electric
The massive project will be developed in collaboration with French industrial group Schneider Electric. CEO Olivier Blum confirmed the partnership, stating that Schneider Electric will assist with design and supply of all equipment, including the creation of a factory for prefabricated data center modules at the port of Dunkirk.
It is an important partnership, a big project, the biggest there has ever been in France in this sector.
Why France?
Son cited France's energy profile as the decisive factor. The country produces and exports abundant, 95% decarbonized electricity — a critical requirement for power-hungry data centers. The decision was also influenced by a meeting with President Macron during his official visit to Tokyo in April. Son said he was impressed by Macron's personal commitment to France's economic success, noting that SoftBank's investments had previously concentrated mainly on the United States, Japan, and Asia.
The fact that the country is a producer and exporter of energy is absolutely decisive for infrastructure investments in artificial intelligence, especially for data centers.
Political and economic context
The announcement was timed for the Choose France summit, where Macron aims to attract a new record in foreign investment. The previous edition in May 2025 set a record with €20 billion in announced projects. French economic minister Roland Lescure described the SoftBank pledge as a testament to Macron's ambition to position France as a leader along the entire AI value chain. The investment also comes as opposition to data center construction grows in the United States over environmental and grid concerns, though SoftBank previously announced plans for a data center in Ohio powered by a new 9.2 gigawatt natural gas plant.
