SoftBank Plans €75 Billion AI Data Center Investment in France
Japan's SoftBank Group announced plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) to build 5 GW of AI data center capacity in France, with an initial €45 billion phase delivering 3.1 GW in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. Sites include Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. Partners include Schneider Electric and state-owned EDF, which will convert a former power plant. The investment, the largest of its kind in Europe, leverages France’s nuclear-powered grid and will be formalized at the Choose France summit.
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SoftBank Pledges €75 Billion for Europe's Largest AI Data Center Network in France
SoftBank has announced a €75 billion ($87 billion) investment to build Europe's largest AI data center network in France, with an initial €45 billion phase to construct 3.1 gigawatts of capacity in Hauts-de-France by 2031, expanding to 5GW total. The project, which will consume power equivalent to five nuclear reactors, was finalized after a private dinner between French President Emmanuel Macron and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son in Tokyo. Macron pitched France's abundant low-carbon nuclear energy and fast-tracked approvals for AI installations. A core facility in Dunkirk will pair AI infrastructure with robotics manufacturing in partnership with Schneider Electric. The announcement boosted European tech stocks, with the Stoxx Europe technology sub-index rising 1.4%. The investment is part of SoftBank's broader strategy to dominate the physical layer of AI infrastructure, having already committed over $60 billion to OpenAI and holding Arm Holdings.
Yahoo FinanceSoftBank to invest up to €75 billion in French AI data centers
SoftBank Group announced plans to invest up to €75 billion (roughly $87 billion) to develop and operate 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France, its largest AI infrastructure commitment in Europe. The first phase allocates €45 billion to bring 3.1 GW online in Hauts-de-France by 2031, with sites in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son signed the commitment alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the 2026 Choose France summit. The project involves partnerships with Schneider Electric for manufacturing and integration, and French state-owned nuclear utility EDF, which will transfer a decommissioned power plant in Bouchain for repurposing. SoftBank cited France's grid infrastructure, industrial land, and engineering talent as key factors. Shares of SoftBank jumped 14% on the announcement.
Yahoo FinanceSoftBank to invest up to €75 billion in French AI data centers
SoftBank Group announced plans to invest up to €75 billion (roughly $87 billion) to develop and operate 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France, its largest AI infrastructure commitment in Europe. The first phase allocates €45 billion to bring 3.1 GW online in Hauts-de-France by 2031, with sites in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son signed the commitment alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the 2026 Choose France summit. The project involves partnerships with Schneider Electric for a manufacturing cluster at the Port of Dunkirk and French state-owned nuclear utility EDF, which will transfer a decommissioned power plant in Bouchain for repurposing. SoftBank cited France's grid infrastructure, industrial land, and engineering talent as key factors. Shares of SoftBank rose 14% on the announcement.
Yahoo FinanceSoftBank becomes Japan's most valuable company, announces $53 billion French investment
SoftBank Group announced a €45 billion ($53 billion) investment over five years to build AI infrastructure in France, part of a larger €75 billion program to develop 5 GW of AI data center capacity. The initial phase involves constructing 3.1 GW of facilities in northern France by 2031, including in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. This marks SoftBank's largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. The announcement came as SoftBank overtook Toyota to become Japan's most valuable company by market cap. CEO Masayoshi Son confirmed the investment with French President Emmanuel Macron, signaling the full system investment could reach $750 billion. SoftBank will partner with Schneider Electric for the Dunkirk buildout. The company's shares rose 14% on the news, with 2026 gains exceeding 70%. Europe's high energy costs remain a challenge in competing with the US and China in AI development.
US Top News and AnalysisMacron Announces Record 93 Billion Euros in Foreign Investments at Choose France Summit
At the ninth edition of the Choose France summit on June 1, 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced a record 93 billion euros in foreign investment commitments, surpassing the cumulative total of 87 billion euros from the previous eight editions. The investments, comprising 71 separate announcements, are expected to create over 15,000 jobs. A major contributor is Japanese tech giant Softbank, which pledged 45 billion euros by 2031 for a massive data center project. Macron highlighted that these projects position France as Europe's leading host for data centers and AI computing capacity, closing the gap with the US and China. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son praised France's nuclear electricity as a key factor and stated the country has the momentum to become the center of Europe in AI and data intelligence. The investments also include new robot production projects.
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Macron Announces Record 93 Billion Euros in Foreign Investments at Choose France Summit
At the ninth edition of the Choose France summit on June 1, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a record 93 billion euros in foreign investment commitments, surpassing the cumulative total of the previous eight editions (87 billion euros). The investments, comprising 71 separate announcements, are expected to create over 15,000 jobs. Major projects include a 45 billion euro data center investment by Japanese technology firm SoftBank by 2031, an additional 10 billion euros from Canadian asset manager Brookfield for AI infrastructure, and 7.5 billion euros from Emirati fund MGX and Bpifrance for a second AI infrastructure site. Other significant investments came from Ardian, Verne (5 billion euros), and Salesforce (2 billion dollars by 2030). Macron stated these projects position France as Europe's leading data center host and AI hub, closing the computing capacity gap with the US and China. The summit featured bilateral meetings and roundtables at the Palace of Versailles.
Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.France attracts $108 billion in foreign investment, half for SoftBank data centres
France has secured a record €93 billion ($108 billion) in foreign investment pledges, with half of the amount allocated to a SoftBank-backed data centre project. The announcement was made at the annual Choose France summit, where 71 projects were unveiled. Japanese tech investor SoftBank will spend €45 billion to build three data centres with a combined capacity of 3.1 gigawatts in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031, with potential to rise to €75 billion. President Emmanuel Macron is leveraging France's nuclear power capacity to position the country as a global AI hub. The investments are expected to create over 15,600 jobs amid rising unemployment. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized the need for Europe to accelerate AI infrastructure to compete with the US and China.
Yahoo FinanceSoftBank to spend up to $87 billion on French AI data centers
SoftBank Group plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) to build five gigawatts of AI data center capacity across France, with an initial €45 billion ($52 billion) phase delivering 3.1GW in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. The investment, described as SoftBank's largest AI infrastructure commitment in Europe, leverages France's nuclear-powered grid, which provides roughly 70% of the country's electricity and offers lower industrial power prices. Partners include state-owned utility EDF and Schneider Electric. The first phase covers three sites: Dunkirk's Loon-Plage, Bosquel, and Bouchain. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to formalize the plan at the Choose France summit. This contrasts with SoftBank's US plans, where the company must build its own natural gas plant to power a 10GW Ohio data center.
Latest from Tom's HardwareSoftBank to spend up to $87 billion on French AI data centers — country offers ample nuclear grid that US sites lack
SoftBank Group plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) to build five gigawatts of AI data center capacity across France, with a first €45 billion ($52 billion) phase delivering 3.1GW in the northern Hauts-de-France region by 2031. The Japanese conglomerate partners with state-owned utility EDF and Schneider Electric. Phase one includes three sites: Dunkirk's Loon-Plage, Bosquel, and Bouchain. CEO Masayoshi Son and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to formalize the plan at the Choose France summit. France's nuclear-powered grid, providing about 70% of its electricity, was cited as a decisive factor, contrasting with SoftBank's US plans where the company must build its own natural gas plant for a 10GW Ohio data center. SoftBank carries over $130 billion in debt and took a $40 billion bridge loan in March for its OpenAI investment.
Latest from Tom's HardwareSoftBank Bets Big on AI: €75 Billion to Build Massive French Data Hub
SoftBank Group has committed up to €75 billion to develop 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity in France, its largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. The pledge was announced at the 2026 Choose France summit in Paris, where President Emmanuel Macron secured tens of billions in foreign investment. The first phase covers €45 billion to deliver 3.1 GW across three sites in Hauts-de-France by 2031. SoftBank will co-develop a manufacturing cluster with Schneider Electric at the Port of Dunkirk, and EDF will supply low-carbon electricity for the Bouchain site. The company expects to generate thousands of jobs and establish research partnerships with local universities. SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son framed the move as part of a broader global AI infrastructure push, citing France's low-carbon grid, industrial land, and engineering talent as key factors.
Yahoo FinanceSoftBank plans 75 billion euros of AI investments in France, as Europe struggles to catch up with U.S. and China
Japan's SoftBank Group announced plans to invest 45 billion euros ($53 billion) over five years to build AI infrastructure in France, as part of a larger 75-billion-euro ($87 billion) program to develop 5 GW of AI data center capacity in the country. The initial phase involves constructing 3.1 GW of data centers in northern France's Hauts-de-France region by 2031, including sites in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. SoftBank will partner with Schneider Electric for a large-scale industrial production cluster in Dunkirk. The investment, SoftBank's largest AI infrastructure commitment in Europe, aims to position France as a leading AI hub. The announcement comes amid Europe's struggle to compete with the U.S. and China in AI, partly due to soaring energy prices that make power-hungry data centers more expensive. SoftBank's shares have risen over 70% in 2026, buoyed by its stakes in Arm Holdings and OpenAI.
US Top News and AnalysisSoftBank plans up to 75 billion euro investment in French AI centres
SoftBank, the Japanese tech conglomerate, has announced plans to invest up to 75 billion euros in artificial intelligence centres in France. This commitment represents SoftBank's largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe to date. The move underscores founder Masayoshi Son's growing ambitions to establish data centre bases in key global locations. The investment is aimed at expanding AI capabilities and infrastructure in France, positioning it as a major hub for artificial intelligence development. The announcement was published by The Business Times Singapore on May 31, 2026.
The Business TimesSoftBank plans up to 75 billion euro investment in French AI centres
SoftBank, the Japanese tech conglomerate, has announced plans to invest up to 75 billion euros in artificial intelligence centres in France. This commitment represents SoftBank's largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe to date. The move underscores founder Masayoshi Son's growing ambitions to establish data centre bases in key global locations. The investment is aimed at expanding AI capabilities and infrastructure in France, positioning the country as a significant hub for AI development. The announcement was made on May 31, 2026, and highlights SoftBank's strategic focus on AI and data centre expansion across major markets worldwide.
The Business TimesSoftBank Plans Up to €75 Billion Investment in French AI Data Centers
SoftBank Group Corp. announced plans to invest up to €75 billion ($87 billion) to build 5 gigawatts of artificial intelligence data center capacity in France, marking its largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. The first phase involves €45 billion to deliver 3.1 gigawatts of capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031, with initial data centers in Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain. The commitment follows personal diplomacy between French President Emmanuel Macron and SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, who met during Macron's visit to Japan. Schneider Electric will partner on the Dunkirk site, aiming to create a hub serving London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. The investment is expected to be formally announced at the Choose France Summit. This French plan complements SoftBank's other massive AI infrastructure projects, including a $500 billion Stargate initiative with OpenAI and Oracle, and a large-scale data center project in Ohio.
Fortune | FORTUNESoftBank to Build AI Data Centres in France with €45 Billion Investment
Japan's SoftBank Group announced a €45 billion investment over five years to build AI data centres in northern France, with a total planned investment of €75 billion. The project, described as the largest of its kind in Europe, will deliver 3.1 GW of capacity. French engineering firm Schneider Electric will equip the sites, and state-owned nuclear energy company EDF will hand over a former power plant for conversion. Three sites, including one in Dunkirk, are expected to be operational by 2031. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son cited France's energy production and export capabilities as decisive for the investment. The announcement will be formally made at the annual Choose France business conference. SoftBank has also invested over $30 billion in OpenAI for an 11% stake.
Yahoo FinanceSoftBank Announces €45 Billion AI Data Centre Investment in France
Japan's SoftBank Group announced a €45 billion investment over five years to build artificial intelligence data centres in northern France, with a total planned capacity of 3.1 GW. The investment, described as the largest of its kind in Europe, will be formally unveiled at the Choose France business conference. French engineering firm Schneider Electric will equip the sites, and state-owned nuclear energy company EDF will hand over a former power plant for conversion into a data centre. Three sites, including one in Dunkirk, are expected to be operational by 2031, with additional sites potentially raising the total investment to €75 billion. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son cited France's status as an energy producer and exporter as a key factor. This commitment is part of SoftBank's broader global AI infrastructure spending, which includes over $30 billion invested in OpenAI for an 11% stake.
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