Ardian and Verne Plan EUR 5 Billion (~USD 5.83 Billion), 500 MW AI Data Center Campus in the Paris Region

Paris, France - June 1, 2026 - Private investment firm Ardian and its portfolio company Verne have unveiled plans to develop a large-scale digital infrastructure campus in the Île-de-France region, targeting 500 MW of capacity and up to EUR 5 billion (~USD 5.83 billion) in investment as France accelerates efforts to build sovereign AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.

Announced at the Choose France summit, the project will be developed as a next-generation AI and computing hub designed to support high-performance computing (HPC), AI model training, and advanced industrial applications. Ardian and Verne said the campus will play a key role in strengthening Europe’s digital and industrial sovereignty by expanding access to low-carbon computing capacity.

The development is planned within one of France’s largest industrial regions and will have a target capacity of 500 MW, with an initial phase exceeding 200 MW expected by 2030. The facility will rely on France’s low-carbon electricity system and will be developed in collaboration with transmission operator RTE and the EDF Group.

According to the companies, the campus is intended to support the entire AI value chain, providing infrastructure for research institutions, industrial users, healthcare organizations, financial services firms, and energy companies. Verne, which operates low-carbon, high-density data centers across Northern Europe, will lead the design and operation of the platform.

The project is also expected to become part of the infrastructure supporting the AION consortium’s bid for a French AI Gigafactory under the European Union’s AI Gigafactories initiative. The consortium includes major French and European technology and industrial players seeking to expand sovereign AI capabilities across the region.

Ardian said the campus will be developed alongside a broader ecosystem of industrial, technology, energy, research, and academic partners. Initial collaborators include major French groups such as Bouygues and Crédit Agricole, while additional technology and industrial partners are expected to join as the project progresses. Hundreds of direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created across construction, operations, and associated services.

The announcement reflects Ardian’s broader strategy of coupling digital infrastructure investment with energy development. Through portfolio companies including Akuo and GreenYellow, Ardian plans to invest up to EUR 3 billion (~USD 3.50 billion) in new renewable energy infrastructure in France by 2030, adding approximately 2.5 GW of renewable generation capacity. The company said the energy investments are intended to match the long-term power requirements of the new digital infrastructure platform.

The project adds to a growing wave of AI infrastructure investment announced at the 2026 Choose France summit, where France secured tens of billions of euros in commitments for AI data centers and computing infrastructure. Analysts increasingly view France’s low-carbon electricity supply and established energy network as key advantages in attracting large-scale AI deployments.

For Verne, the campus marks a significant expansion beyond its Nordic footprint and strengthens its ambition to become a leading European platform for AI-focused digital infrastructure. For Ardian, the project represents one of its largest commitments to the emerging AI data center sector, positioning the firm at the intersection of digital infrastructure, energy, and European technology sovereignty.