Key Points
- EDF and OpCore plan to build a hyperscale data center at a former coal-fired power plant in France.
- The project is estimated to cost around 4 billion euros ($4.64 billion).
- It will become one of the largest computing hubs in Europe, catering to the high demand for AI.
- The first phase is expected to come online in 2027. The project is part of a trend of repurposing old industrial sites for new digital infrastructure.
The French utility company EDF and OpCore, a joint venture between the telecoms group Iliad and InfraVia Capital Partners, have entered into exclusive talks to develop a massive hyperscale data center. The companies announced the plan on Monday.
The project will be built on the site of EDF’s old coal-fired power plant in Montereau-Vallee-de-la-Seine. It is expected to cost around 4 billion euros ($4.64 billion) and will create one of the largest computing hubs in Europe, with a capacity of several hundred megawatts.
This is part of a growing trend in Europe where old power plant sites are being turned into data centers. These sites are attractive because they already have the necessary grid connections and industrial land, which helps to speed up construction and reduce costs. This is especially important as the demand for AI computing power continues to surge.
“This investment shows that France intends to lead the artificial intelligence revolution,” said French Economy Minister Roland Lescure in a statement. “We are reaffirming our determination to reindustrialise the country, create jobs … and make France a major digital power.”
The first phase of the project is scheduled to be operational in 2027, using France’s fast-track grid connection program. EDF had put out a call for interest earlier this year to find new uses for its industrial land for strategic digital infrastructure.
The Montereau site, which was shut down in 2004, will be redeveloped with a strong focus on energy efficiency and high environmental standards, the companies said.
