SoftBank to Invest €75 Billion in 5 GW of AI Data Centres in France
SoftBank is investing €75 billion (about $87 billion) to build 5 gigawatts of AI data centres in France. This is Son's largest European bet on AI infrastructure.
Key Points:
- Investment Details: The first phase will deliver 3.1 GW by 2031 for €45 billion, located in the Hauts-de-France region at Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain.
- Strategic Partner: Schneider Electric will collaborate on the Dunkirk site, creating a hub for AI infrastructure and robotics manufacturing serving London, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
- Personal Diplomacy: Masayoshi Son was "impressed" by Macron's personal pitch during a visit to Japan earlier this year.
- Global Context: This investment follows SoftBank's large-scale Ohio project and Stargate partnership with OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi's MGX, committing billions to global AI data centre expansion.
- Financing Concerns: The scale of these commitments raises questions about SoftBank's ability to secure adequate financing for all its planned projects.