Abu Dhabi's Phoenix Group and DC Max to Build 18MW AI Data Center in Lyon, France
May 20, 2026
Abu Dhabi's Phoenix Group and DC Max to Build 18MW AI Data Center in Lyon, France
Abu Dhabi-based Phoenix Group has partnered with French developer DC Max to build an 18MW AI-focused data center in Lyon, marking the company's first European facility and the initial phase of a broader platform targeting over 1GW of capacity and an estimated $8 billion opportunity across the continent.
The Lyon site, which already has land, permits, and electrical grid connection secured, is scheduled to break ground in July 2026, with service expected to begin between the fourth quarter of 2027 and the first quarter of 2028. The facility is designed specifically for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing workloads, reflecting the surging demand for specialized infrastructure in Europe.
Phoenix Group co-founder and CEO Munaf Ali said the partnership is structured as a repeatable model rather than a one-off transaction. DC Max brings expertise in site selection, permitting, and grid connectivity, while Phoenix contributes capital and execution capacity to accelerate deployments across Europe. This approach is increasingly critical in a market where grid connection timelines, electricity availability, and regulatory hurdles often outweigh technological considerations.
The Lyon project represents the first building block of a larger European data center platform that Phoenix and DC Max are developing together. The companies have outlined a pipeline of more than 1GW of potential opportunities, valued at approximately $8 billion. The partnership aims to replicate the Lyon model in other European markets, leveraging DC Max's local knowledge and Phoenix's financial strength to address the growing gap between AI infrastructure demand and available supply in the region.
Source: dcmag
