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Last Update: 10/27/2026 at 5:34 AM EST
AI Data Center Investment and Development
Coverage from Data Center Dynamics, CNBC, and others
AI data-center development brings together investment, site selection, construction, power planning, and partnerships among technology companies, infrastructure suppliers, utilities, and public authorities.
One prominent example is SoftBank Group’s plan for up to 5 GW of capacity in France, with first-phase sites in Hauts-de-France and Schneider Electric involved in supporting the buildout. EDF has also been identified in connection with converting a former power plant for data-center use. These initiatives matter because they link the expansion of AI computing capacity with large capital commitments, local infrastructure, and national ambitions for digital and industrial capacity.
Looking Back
132 Day Timeline
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All Articles28 articles
Important
Toyota Tsusho and Eurus Energy started construction in April 2026 on Soya Green Data Center 1 in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, targeting fiscal 2027 operations with wind power via a private line.
7/24/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
SoftBank plans 3.1 GW of AI data centers in France’s Hauts-de-France by 2031, targeting Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain amid power-cost and supply planning.
6/3/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
SoftBank Group will invest up to EUR 75 billion to deliver 3.1 GW of AI data-center capacity in Hauts-de-France by 2031, partnering with EDF and Schneider Electric.
5/31/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
Interesting
Masayoshi Son said SoftBank will invest at least $52 billion in French AI data centers, including an OpenAI 1.2-gigawatt leased facility, and pursue 10 gigawatts in Ohio near a gas power plant.
6/4/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank plans to invest up to 75 billion euros in France to build 5 GW of AI data center capacity, including 3.1 GW in Hauts-de-France by 2031.
6/1/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank plans a 45 billion euro AI data center investment in Hauts-de-France, targeting 3.1 GW and initial Dunkirk operations by 2031.
5/31/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank Group announced a 75 billion euro France data center expansion to add up to 5 gigawatts, with 3.1 gigawatts planned in Hauts-de-France by 2031.
5/30/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank announced plans to invest up to EUR 75 billion for 5 GW of AI data centers in France, targeting 3.1 GW in Hauts-de-France by 2031.
5/31/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Masayoshi Son said SoftBank will commit EUR 75 billion in France and US$500 billion for Project Stargate datacenters in the United States, amid execution and cash-flow risks.
6/5/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank Group tapped major banks to prepare SB Energy and Roze IPOs as OpenAI and the Stargate initiative drive power-linked AI data center expansion in Texas.
5/26/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank plans up to 75 billion euros to expand AI data center capacity in Hauts-de-France, with a 3.1-gigawatt phase targeted by 2031 and an expected announcement at Choose France Summit.
5/30/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank plans to start battery production at a converted Sharp LCD site in Sakai, Osaka by fiscal 2027 to support AI data centers facing Japanese grid constraints.
5/11/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
SoftBank will repurpose a Sharp LCD factory in Sakai, Osaka into battery cell production starting in fiscal 2027 to support AI data center power needs.
5/11/2026 • Technology & Operations • General
SoftBank Corp. will begin Sakai City, Osaka battery and storage production in fiscal 2028 with Cosmos Lab and DeltaX to power planned AI data centers.
5/11/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
SE Cosmos is converting the former 3M campus in Austin, Texas, into a 50MW AI research facility, with staged operations beginning in 2026.
9/9/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
S2 and Bitgrit are planning a 500-megawatt AI data center in Akita, Japan, with operations targeted as early as 2030.
8/17/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Akita Prefecture, S2 Co and Bitgrit outlined plans for a 500-megawatt AI data center at an industrial park in Akita City, Japan, with operations targeted for the early 2030s.
8/10/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Morrison and Orange agreed to form a 50/50 French data center company backed by a 3 billion euro investment program targeting 400 megawatts.
7/30/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
Emmanuel Macron and Narendra Modi used G7 and direct CEO meetings in 2024 to secure hyperscaler AI data-center investment backed by nuclear power and tax breaks.
7/4/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced a 75 billion euro AI infrastructure investment in France, targeting 5 GW of AI data center capacity in Hauts-de-France.
6/1/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank and Sesterce plan a 1 GW AI data center campus in Bosquel, France, with construction and operations supported by Hauts-de-France regional authorities.
5/31/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank Group announced up to EUR 75 billion for 5 GW of AI data-center capacity in France, starting with 3.1 GW in Hauts-de-France by 2031.
5/31/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank Corp. plans AI compute services and an upcoming Tomakomai, Hokkaido data center while partnering to mass-produce batteries in Osaka starting next April.
5/11/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
Additional
S2 and Bitgrit are planning a 300-500 MW AI data center in Akita City for operation around 2033, while Mubadala considers investment in the project.
8/11/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General
Orange and Morrison announced a $3.4 billion joint venture in France during Orange's second-quarter 2026 earnings call to deploy 400 MW across five existing data center facilities.
7/28/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General
SoftBank Group announced a France AI data center plan with up to 5 gigawatts capacity and a 3.1 gigawatt Hauts-de-France phase targeting 2031.
5/31/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
SoftBank Corp. plans battery cell and storage manufacturing in Sakai City, Osaka, starting in the fiscal year ending March 2028 to power AI data centers and grid needs in Japan.
5/11/2026 • Market Demand & Investment • General
Nippon Life Insurance plans infrastructure project financing for data-center construction in the United States and Japan beginning by fiscal 2026.
9/19/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General