SoftBank says it will invest up to €75 billion to build French data centers SoftBank Group intends to invest up to €75 billion to expand data center capacity in France, aiming to develop and operate an additional 5 gigawatts of capacity. This initiative is described as SoftBank’s largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe and is seen by the French government as a move to position France as a leader in the AI value chain. The plan includes building data centers in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain, delivering 3.1 gigawatts by 2031, despite environmental concerns impacting data center construction elsewhere.

• SoftBank Group plans to invest up to €75 billion in France.
• The investment aims to develop and operate up to 5 gigawatts of additional data center capacity.
• The first phase includes data centers in Dunkirk (Loon-Plage), Bosquel, and Bouchain, targeting 3.1 gigawatts by 2031.
• This is SoftBank’s largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe.
• French Economic Minister Roland Lescure views this as a strategic move for France in the AI value chain.
• The investment occurs amidst opposition to data centers in the U.S. due to environmental and grid concerns. Continue reading https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/30/softbank-says-it-will-invest-up-to-e75-billion-to-build-french-data-centers/