SoftBank is preparing to make a major bet on France’s artificial intelligence sector, with plans to invest up to €75 billion in new data centre capacity as demand for computing power accelerates across the industry.
The Japanese technology group said the project could eventually deliver as much as five gigawatts of capacity, making it its largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. The first stage will involve €45 billion in spending over the next five years, with three sites in northern France expected to provide 3.1 gigawatts by 2031.
The facilities will be developed in Loon-Plage near Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain in the Hauts-de-France region. SoftBank said it would work with its energy subsidiary SB Energy and other strategic partners on the developments.
The announcement comes as France seeks to strengthen its position in the global AI race and attract more technology investment. French officials have promoted the country’s electricity supply, industrial expertise, and engineering talent as advantages for companies building power-hungry computing infrastructure.
French Economy Minister Roland Lescure described the announcement as a “testament to President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to position France as a leading destination all along the AI value chain.”
The project is expected to involve several French companies. State-owned utility EDF is set to make a former power station available for conversion into a data centre, while Schneider Electric will supply modular equipment and establish an automated manufacturing site near Dunkirk.
SoftBank has increased its exposure to AI through investments in companies including OpenAI. The French expansion also fits into a broader push to develop the infrastructure needed to support increasingly advanced models and services.
The scale of the plans is likely to add to debate over the environmental and economic impact of data centres. Similar projects in the United States have faced scrutiny over their electricity use, pressure on local grids, and possible effects on household utility bills. Supporters, however, argue that large-scale developments can bring jobs, investment, and new industrial activity to communities.