Stargate · OpenAI · France · SoftBank · Datacenter Dynamics
SoftBank gears up up to 5GW data center buildout in France, investment of up to €75bn
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SoftBank plans to develop and operate 5GW of AI data center capacity in France, with an investment of up to €75 billion ($87.5bn).
Key facts
- However, the company has several other planned investments
- including $16bn in Stargate, and $9bn for the acquisitions of ABB Robotics and DigitalBridge, according to analysts from TD Cowen
- The first phase, requiring an initial €45bn ($52.5bn) investment, aims to deliver 3.1GW of AI data center capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031
- The company, which has over $130bn in debt, secured a $40bn bridge loan in March to fund its latest OpenAI investment
- SoftBank plans to develop and operate 5GW of AI data center capacity in France, with an investment of up to €75 billion ($87.5bn)
Summary
The first phase, requiring an initial €45bn ($52.5bn) investment, aims to deliver 3.1GW of AI data center capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. The initial data centers are planned for Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain. “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,” said SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son. Roland Lescure, France's Minister of economy, finance, & industrial, energy, & digital sovereignty, said: “SoftBank’s decision to invest massively in AI data centers 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.