With a €5 billion investment in Northern France, Data4 has confirmed the launch of its largest data center campus project in France. Developed on a former industrial site in Escaudain, the initiative aims to support the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence across Europe while contributing to the regeneration of a historic industrial region.
On June 12, 2026, Data4 announced the launch of its new data center campus in Escaudain, Northern France. Developed with the support of local authorities, the project will transform the former Parc des Soufflantes industrial site into a next-generation technology campus through a €5 billion investment.
Six months after being selected as the exclusive partner for the site’s redevelopment, feasibility studies conducted with stakeholders confirmed that all conditions are in place to establish a major digital infrastructure hub in the region. The project is intended to extend the digital corridor surrounding Paris and contribute to the emergence of an “AI Valley” in Northern Europe.
“We are delighted to bring this project to life in a highly strategic region at the crossroads of Europe’s connectivity and communications networks,” said Olivier Micheli, President & CEO of Data4. “With the support of national, regional and local stakeholders, we will help revitalize the area through the digital industry while building the sovereign, sustainable and competitive infrastructure that Europe increasingly needs.”
A strategic project for Europe’s digital future
Spanning 33 hectares, the future campus will ultimately deliver 700 MW of capacity, making it the largest project ever developed by Data4
The announcement reflects Data4’s broader strategy of combining digital infrastructure development with industrial regeneration. The company has already transformed former Alcatel and Nokia industrial sites near Paris into a 500 MW data center hub, now among the largest in Europe.
Today, Data4 operates ten campuses across six European countries and plans to invest more than €20 billion across Europe by 2030, including €5 billion dedicated to the Escaudain site.
The location was selected for its strategic position at the intersection of Europe’s major data exchange markets linking Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris. Combined with access to a large talent pool and reliable low-carbon energy resources, these advantages make the region particularly well suited to hosting the next generation of cloud and AI infrastructure.
Meeting the growing demands of artificial intelligence
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented demand for computing power, data processing and hosting capacity. To address these evolving requirements, Data4 plans to build four next-generation data centers on the Escaudain campus over the coming years.
Beyond supporting technological growth, the project is also aligned with Europe’s broader ambition to strengthen its digital sovereignty. As cloud adoption accelerates and AI workloads continue to increase, expanding data center capacity within Europe is becoming a strategic priority for ensuring that critical digital infrastructure remains available, resilient and competitive.
For Data4, developing large-scale infrastructure on European soil is essential to supporting the growth of digital services while reinforcing Europe’s long-term technological autonomy.
A catalyst for regional transformation
Once fully operational, the campus is expected to create approximately 2,400 permanent jobs.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to the economic transformation of the region by attracting investment, supporting new skills development and creating opportunities linked to the digital economy. According to Data4 and its regional partners, the campus is intended to help position the area as a major hub for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Designed with sustainability at its core
As with all Data4 developments, the Escaudain campus will integrate the latest environmental innovations from the outset. The use of low-carbon concrete and systems designed to recover and reuse waste heat generated by servers will contribute to reducing the overall environmental footprint of the site.
The group will also establish “Data4All”, a new center of excellence dedicated to training, research and entrepreneurship. Developed in collaboration with schools, local organizations and innovation stakeholders, the initiative aims to foster skills development, support research activities and encourage entrepreneurship around digital technologies.
Through this project, Data4 continues to expand its European footprint while reinforcing its ambition to build sovereign, sustainable and highly connected digital infrastructure. By combining technological innovation, industrial redevelopment and regional economic growth, the Escaudain campus illustrates how Europe is investing in the foundations needed to support the next generation of cloud and artificial intelligence services.
