Nebius to build 240MW AI data centre in France, one of Europe’s largest

What's the deal? Nebius plans to build a 240MW data centre near Lille, in the town of Béthune. The Amsterdam-based AI infrastructure firm said the site will be one of Europe’s largest data centres, with construction set to begin in 2026.

The facility will focus on AI workloads and high-performance computing. Nebius aims to serve growing demand from AI companies that need large-scale compute capacity in Europe.

French authorities have backed the project as part of efforts to position the country as a hub for AI and cloud infrastructure. The site is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operations.

Why now? Demand for AI compute in Europe is surging as companies race to build and deploy generative AI models. Many rely on US-based cloud providers, prompting governments to push for more local capacity.

France has stepped up incentives to attract data centre investment, betting on available land, power connections, and nuclear-backed electricity. For Nebius, securing a large site now could lock in power and grid access before constraints tighten.

What could go wrong? Large data centres face scrutiny over energy use and environmental impact. A 240MW campus will require significant electricity and water, raising questions from local communities and regulators.

Grid connection timelines and supply chain delays could also slow delivery. Europe’s tighter environmental rules may add complexity and cost.

The signal: Europe is moving from AI ambition to hard infrastructure. As model training scales, control over power, land, and chips is becoming as strategic as software talent.

Nebius’ bet reflects a broader shift: AI firms are building or securing dedicated data centres rather than relying solely on third-party clouds. The race for compute is now a race for megawatts.

Sources:
Reuters
Construction Review
Data Center Dynamics

A.M.