SoftBank Announces €45 Billion Investment in AI Data Centers in France
SoftBank to build up AI data centers in France with major investment
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SoftBank Group plans to invest €45 billion (approximately $53 billion) in artificial intelligence infrastructure in France over the next five years, marking the largest investment of its kind in Europe. This initiative will primarily occur in the Hauts-de-France region and is set to deliver 3.1 GW of capacity.
- 01The investment will be announced at the annual Choose France business conference, with plans for three operational sites by 2031, including one in Dunkirk.
- 02French engineering firm Schneider Electric will partner in equipping the data centers, while EDF will provide a former power plant for transformation.
- 03SoftBank's total planned investment in AI infrastructure could reach €75 billion ($87 billion) in the future.
- 04Masayoshi Son, SoftBank's founder, emphasized France's energy production capabilities as crucial for this investment.
- 05SoftBank has previously invested over $30 billion in OpenAI, holding an 11% stake.
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SoftBank Group, a Japanese multinational conglomerate, is set to invest €45 billion (approximately $53 billion) in artificial intelligence infrastructure in France over the next five years. This initiative, touted as the largest investment of its kind in Europe, will focus on the northern Hauts-de-France region, aiming to deliver 3.1 GW of capacity. The formal announcement will take place during the annual Choose France business conference. Schneider Electric, a French engineering company, will play a significant role in equipping the data centers, while the state-owned nuclear energy company EDF will contribute by transforming one of its former power plants into a data center. SoftBank's overall investment in AI infrastructure could eventually reach €75 billion ($87 billion). Masayoshi Son highlighted the importance of France's energy production capabilities in attracting such investments. This move is part of SoftBank's broader global strategy to enhance AI infrastructure, which includes a significant stake in OpenAI.
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The investment is expected to boost local economies in the Hauts-de-France region through job creation and infrastructure development.
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