Japanese investment firm SoftBank is planning to invest up to invest €75bn to develop and operate 5GW of data centre capacity in France.
SoftBank disclosed at the Choose France Summit 2026 that the project’s first phase will involve a €45bn commitment to develop 3.1GW of AI data centre capacity across the Hauts-de-France region by 2031, with data centres in Dunkirk, Bosquel and Bouchain.
SoftBank will work with firms including SB Energy, EDF and Schneider Electric to develop the projects, and plans to develop additional sites across France.
SoftBank which focuses on advanced technology sectors, including AI, smart robotics, telecommunications and clean energy, recently deepened its commitment to AI infrastructure by agreeing a $4bn deal to acquire global digital infrastructure manager DigitalBridge.
The commitment in France marks SoftBank’s largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe.
Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, said: “AI is entering a new era, and the countries that build the infrastructure for this transformation will shape the future of technology, industry and society.
“SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France. With its industrial capabilities, talent base and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe.”
Roland Lescure, minister of economy, finance and industrial, energy and digital sovereignty, said: “SoftBank’s decision to invest massively in AI datacentres in France – a first for the group in Europe – is testament to president Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to position France as a leading destination all along the AI value chain.
“It reflects our country’s substantial assets: fast access to the most reliable electrical grid in Europe, a strong digital and industrial ecosystem with a skilled workforce, and a government that works in unison with local authorities and stakeholders to fast track procedures for strategic projects.”
Bernard Fontana, chairman and CEO of EDF, said: “The project selected for the Bouchain site demonstrates France’s ability to host large-scale digital infrastructure, supported by competitive, sovereign and low-carbon electricity.
“It reflects EDF’s commitment to selecting projects that combine industrial excellence, high environmental standards and long-term value creation for local communities, while giving a new purpose to its former industrial sites.”
Maurice Georges, CEO of the Port of Dunkirk and Patrice Vergriete, chairman of the Dunkirk Urban Council and mayor of Dunkirk, said: “Dunkirk Urban Community and Port of Dunkirk Authority warmly welcome this major industrial project, which demonstrates Dunkirk’s attractiveness and validates the substantial investments made to support reindustrialisation.”
Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric, said: “The challenge of AI is to deliver both speed and energy efficiency at scale – and Schneider Electric’s role is to enable and accelerate this transformation as the energy technology partner. By connecting energy and AI, we provide the electrical and digital backbone that makes high-performance, efficient and sustainable infrastructure possible.
“Our prefabricated power modules are a key lever to combine speed, scalability and energy optimisation. Together with SoftBank, we are proud to contribute to a major investment strengthening France as a leading European hub for next-generation digital infrastructure.”
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