Illustration of SoftBank's 75 billion euro investment in AI data centers in France, showing modern facilities near Versailles.
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Softbank pledges up to 75 billion euros for data centers in France

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English

Japanese conglomerate Softbank announced an investment of up to 75 billion euros in artificial intelligence-related data centers in France. The announcement came on the eve of the Choose France summit held in Versailles.

The commitment covers the development and management of 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity. The first phase involves building three sites in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031, in Dunkerque, Bosquel and Bouchain, totaling 3.1 GW and 45 billion euros.

One site, in Bouchain, will be located on the grounds of a former EDF thermal power plant. Softbank communicated these details in a press release on Sunday, May 30.

The announcement comes during the ninth edition of the Choose France summit, which brings international business leaders to the Château de Versailles. The 2026 edition aims to surpass the symbolic threshold of 100 billion euros in cumulative industrial investments since 2018.

What people are saying

Initial reactions on X highlight SoftBank's €75B pledge for AI data centers in France as Europe's largest such investment, emphasizing 5GW capacity, geopolitical ties with Macron, and France's growing AI hub status. Users describe it as a major infrastructure win with sovereign energy implications.

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