SoftBank commits €75 billion to French AI data centre expansion
The deal, signed at the 2026 Choose France summit, includes partnerships with Schneider Electric and EDF, with the initial phase set to deliver 3.1 GW by 2031.
SoftBank Group has announced a commitment to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) to develop and operate 5 gigawatts of artificial intelligence data centre capacity in France. The project represents the Japanese investment giant’s largest AI infrastructure commitment in Europe, with the agreement signed by CEO Masayoshi Son alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the 2026 Choose France summit.
The initial phase of the development involves an allocation of €45 billion to bring 3.1 GW of capacity online in the Hauts-de-France region by the end of 2031. Planned sites for this first stage include Loon-Plage in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain, with additional locations across France earmarked for the broader buildout. SoftBank cited France’s grid infrastructure, availability of industrial land, and engineering talent as key drivers for the decision.
Strategic partnerships underpin the industrial scale of the venture. SoftBank will collaborate with Schneider Electric to develop a large-scale industrial production cluster at the Port of Dunkirk. This facility will see SoftBank Group operate a site for manufacturing enclosures, while Schneider Electric integrates data centre power modules. Additionally, state-owned nuclear utility EDF will facilitate the transfer and repurposing of a decommissioned power plant in Bouchain for use as a data centre.
Son indicated during a press briefing that the total cost could rise to approximately $750 billion when the broader ecosystem and system factors are included. The data centres are designed to serve a diverse customer base comprising AI companies, cloud providers, enterprises, public institutions, and research organisations. SoftBank is pooling project financing to fund the effort, leveraging its existing exposure to the sector through significant investments in OpenAI and a stake in Arm Holdings.
Following the announcement, SoftBank’s shares rose 14% on the day, adding to gains of over 70% for the year. The investment underscores the intensifying competition for critical AI infrastructure, with Son noting that nations building this foundational technology will shape the future of industry and society.
