SoftBank says it will invest up to €75 billion to build French data centers

techcrunch.com May 31, 2026

SoftBank says it will invest up to €75 billion to build French data centers

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · May 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

SoftBank Group plans to invest up to €75 billion to expand data center capacity in France, aiming to develop and operate up to 5 gigawatts of additional capacity. The first phase involves building data centers in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain, delivering 3.1 gigawatts to the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. This will be SoftBank's largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe, supporting President Emmanuel Macron's ambition to position France as a leading AI destination. The investment is significant, given growing opposition to data center construction in the US over environmental concerns. SoftBank's move underscores France's attractiveness for AI infrastructure development, with the company being a major investor and customer of OpenAI.

💡 Why It Matters

· France's ability to attract large-scale AI investments like SoftBank's underscores its competitive edge in the European tech landscape.
· The country's support for AI infrastructure development sets it apart from other regions grappling with environmental and regulatory challenges.

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