SoftBank has pledged to invest up to €75bn in a vast network of AI computing clusters in France. This investment would back what would be Europe’s biggest data centre project. It comes in as Europe races to catch up with the US and China in matters regarding AI infrastructure.

Additionally, the commitment marks the largest AI investment by Masayoshi Son’s group outside the US. Also, it delivers a boost to Emmanuel Macron ahead of the French president’s Choose France event next week. This will be an annual gathering of dealmakers and executives.

The deal came together quickly after Macron and Son dined together in Tokyo in early April. This is according to people who have infamiliar with the meeting, where the president pitched France’s combination of plentiful nuclear power and fast-tracked approval for AI facilities.

“SoftBank is proud to make this major commitment to France,” said Son, SoftBank’s founder and chief executive. “With its industrial capabilities, talent base and national ambition, France is uniquely positioned to become a leading AI infrastructure hub in Europe.”

Europe Lags Behind in Global Data Center Race

However, Europe lags well behind the US, China and the Middle East in building the huge data centres. According to technology executives, these data centers will be needed to meet soaring demand for AI computing power. Moreover, investment has tended to flow to regions offering lower energy costs, faster grid connections and lighter-touch regulation on planning, data and emissions.

SoftBank Plans 3.1GW of Capacity in Hauts-de-France by 2031

SoftBank’s initial commitment will see it lead an investment of €45bn to build 3.1 gigawatts of capacity in the northern region of Hauts-de-France by 2031, with a further 2GW planned.

One of the main facilities in Dunkirk will see SoftBank partner with Schneider Electric to create a hub for AI infrastructure and robotics manufacturing, at a site ideally placed to serve customers in London, Brussels and Amsterdam.

If completed, the full 5GW complex, equivalent to the output of five nuclear power stations, or roughly New York City’s peak electricity demand . This would take SoftBank’s total investment to about €75 billion ($87 billion).

Project Factsheet

Developer / Operator: SoftBank Group Corp.

Local Project Partners: Sesterce (Joint Venture partner for the Bosquel campus), EDF (Électricité de France, for the Bouchain site), and Schneider Electric (Industrial manufacturing cluster).

Total Planned Capacity: Up to 5 GW of AI data center capacity across France.

Total Maximum Investment: Up to €75 billion.

Phase 1 Development (Firm Commitment)

• Investment Amount: €45 billion
• Target Capacity: 3.1 GW of computing capacity.
• Timeline: Phased deployment to be fully completed by 2031.
• Target Region: Hauts-de-France (Northern France).

Supply Chain and Vertical Integration

• SoftBank Facility: Will leverage SoftBank’s robotics and automation to manufacture specialized data center enclosures.
• Schneider Electric Facility: Will focus on the assembly and integration of prefabricated, modular power blocks.