Tuesday, February 11th, 2025
UK-based AI cloud provider Fluidstack has signed a memorandum with the French government to build one of France’s largest decarbonized AI supercomputers in the world. Meanwhile, Utility EDF identifies four unique land sites that provide data centers.
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The memorandum, released at the AI Litigation Summit in Paris under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, is co-founded by French Minister of Economy, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Eric Lombard, French Minister of Industry and Energy, Mark Feracci, and Fluidstack. César Maklary, the president and CEO.
Phase 1 of Fluidstack’s project is expected to be managed in 2026, supported by an initial investment of 10 billion euros (US$10 billion) as it has already attracted strong interest from financial partners. Phase 1 of the facility will ultimately host approximately 500,000. Generation AI chip.
“The new facility will utilize France’s rich, carbon-free, primarily nuclear energy, to provide dedicated AI calculation power of up to 1 gigawatts, strengthening the country’s leadership in AI infrastructure, energy security and digital sovereignty. I will,” Fluidstack said. “Designed for scalable expansions of over 1 GW by 2028, the project positions France as the best global AI hub, providing unparalleled computing power for next-generation AI models.”
“Fluidstack and the French government recognize that the future of AI lies in three core pillars: energy, computing power and AI models. By leveraging French nuclear assets, we will be able to ensure that (grid operators) With advanced grid infrastructure, AI talent and cutting-edge computing technology enabled by RTE, the partnership will establish France among the top three AI hubs in the world alongside the US and China.”
“We have a role to play as our nuclear energy is controllable, safe, stable and decarbonized, making it ideal for expanding AI computing capabilities,” Macron said. said. “This 10 billion euro agreement with Fluidstack embodies my ambitions. We should not slow down as the world is accelerating and the fight for innovation is taking place.”
Maklary added: “This partnership allows us to quickly develop the infrastructure needed to support the next wave of AI innovation. Partnerships with French government and global industry leaders to create France’s most advanced computing capabilities France’s commitment to digital and energy sovereignty has become an ideal place for such an ambitious project and is extremely proud to play an important role in this initiative.”
EDF provides the site
EDF has announced the upcoming announcement of calls to express the interest of digital companies, with the aim of providing these companies with access to appropriate sites to develop new data centers in France.
By launching this call for expressions of interest, EDF has revealed that one of the key benefits France offers to data center installations: “Access to low-carbon electricity, competitive prices, constant use.” It is intended to emphasize “possible.”
Providing ready-to-use land connected to an electric grid will reduce the time required to complete the project by several years, EDF said.
EDF has previously identified four industrial sites on its own land, with the total available power estimated at 2 GW. The identification of land spaces continues with the aim of selecting two additional sites by 2026, it said.
“In France, our electricity is rich, competitive and low carbon thanks to the mix, which is mainly made up of nuclear and renewable energy,” he said. said Stéphane Raison, director of EDF. “This is a major asset to attract players in the digital sector whose power needs are linked to the development of artificial intelligence. EDF aims to accelerate the time required to complete the project, and France is the aim of accelerating the time required to complete the project. We provide concrete solutions to companies that want to install in the company.
