SoftBank commits $53 billion to build AI data centers across France
Japan's SoftBank Group will invest 45 billion euros ($53 billion) over five years to build artificial intelligence data centers in France's Hauts-de-France region, the company announced this week. The investment is the largest of its kind in Europe to date.
Three sites will begin operations by 2031, including a facility in Dunkirk. SoftBank plans additional locations across France, bringing the total investment to 75 billion euros ($87 billion).
The infrastructure will deliver 3.1 gigawatts of capacity. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son told La Tribune du Dimanche that France's status as an energy producer and exporter made the country attractive for data center investment.
Partners and infrastructure
French engineering company Schneider Electric will serve as a key partner, supplying modules for the sites without disclosing financial terms.
State-owned nuclear energy company EDF is also involved. EDF will convert one of its former power plants into a data center for the project.
Broader AI spending
The France investment is part of SoftBank's wider artificial intelligence infrastructure push. The company has invested more than $30 billion in OpenAI, giving it approximately an 11% stake in the firm.
SoftBank will formally announce the France project on Monday at the Choose France business conference, an annual summit that President Emmanuel Macron launched in 2018 to attract foreign investment.
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