SoftBank to Develop 5-Gigawatt AI Data Center Capacity in France
May 31, 2026
SoftBank to Develop 5-Gigawatt AI Data Center Capacity in France
Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group has announced plans to develop up to five gigawatts of AI-focused data center capacity in France, marking one of the largest single-country commitments to artificial intelligence infrastructure by a private investor. The move underscores the accelerating global race to build the physical backbone required to support generative AI workloads and large-scale model training.
According to the announcement, SoftBank will partner with French energy and infrastructure firms to deploy the massive capacity across multiple sites, with construction expected to begin in phases starting in 2027. The project aims to leverage France’s low-carbon nuclear energy grid, which provides a competitive advantage for power-hungry AI data centers. The total investment value was not disclosed but is estimated to exceed tens of billions of dollars based on current industry benchmarks for gigawatt-scale facilities.
The initiative comes as European governments compete to attract hyperscale data center investments amid surging demand for AI compute power. France has emerged as a key destination due to its abundant nuclear power, favorable renewable energy mix, and government incentives for digital infrastructure. SoftBank’s commitment aligns with its broader strategy to become a leading player in AI infrastructure, following its recent investments in semiconductor design and cloud computing platforms.
Industry analysts note that a five-gigawatt development represents a significant portion of France’s current total data center capacity, which is estimated at less than one gigawatt today. The project could transform the country into a European AI hub, though it will require extensive coordination with grid operators and local authorities to manage power supply and environmental permitting. SoftBank has indicated that it will prioritize sustainability measures, including liquid cooling and energy-efficient hardware, to minimize the environmental footprint of the facilities.
Source: nippon
