Vantage Bordeaux AI & Cloud Data Center Campus (400MW)
Status: Announced / Pre-Construction | Location: Proximity to Bordeaux Metropolitan Area, bordeaux
Project Overview
The Vantage Bordeaux AI & Cloud Campus represents a landmark shift in the European data center landscape, moving massive compute power away from traditional "FLAP-D" markets (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin) into strategic regional hubs. Announced on February 24, 2026, this facility is a joint venture between global hyperscale provider Vantage Data Centers and Altarea, France’s leading low-carbon urban developer. The project is designed specifically to address the explosive demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads that require significant power density and cooling efficiency.
Spanning a massive site near Bordeaux, the campus has secured a direct 400MW power connection with the French utility grid, a rarity in an era of global power shortages. This massive capacity makes it one of the largest data center developments in France’s history. The choice of Bordeaux is strategic, offering lower latency to submarine cable landing stations and serving as a gateway for digital traffic between Southern Europe and the Atlantic.
The campus will feature multiple multi-story data center buildings, each engineered with high-density rack configurations capable of supporting liquid cooling—a necessity for modern AI GPUs. Sustainability is at the core of the build; the partnership with Altarea ensures the use of low-carbon construction materials and a design that targets a highly competitive PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness). Beyond the technical specs, the project is expected to be a major economic driver for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, creating thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of high-skilled permanent roles in digital infrastructure management.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Vantage Bordeaux AI & Cloud Data Center Campus (400MW) |
| Location | Proximity to Bordeaux Metropolitan Area, bordeaux |
| Status | Announced / Pre-Construction |
| Commissioning | 2027 (Phase 1) |
| Total IT Load | 400 MW |
| Total Capacity | 400 MW (Grid-Secured) |
| Tier Level | Tier III Equivalent |
| Project Type | Hyperscale / AI-Ready Campus |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Bordeaux |
| Population | 257,068 (as of 2020) |
| Urban Agglomeration | 1,233,000 (Bordeaux Métropole) |
| City GDP | $26.1 billion (approximate) |
| Per Capita Income | $34,300 (approximate) |
| City Tier | Tier 1 |
| Key Strengths | Bordeaux is known for its rich history, wine industry, cultural heritage, high-quality education, and strategic location in southwest France. It is a leading center for digital technologies and aerospace. |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Vantage Data Centers |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Altarea (Low-carbon urban development) |
| Construction Contractor | TBA (Local French Prime Contractors) |
| MEP Engineering | In-house Vantage Global Engineering |
| Network Connectivity | Major European Carriers & Dark Fiber Providers |
| Power Infrastructure | Secured 400MW via French National Grid (RTE/Enedis) |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 400 MW total site capacity |
| UPS Redundancy | $N+1$ or $2N$ |
| Cooling System | Closed-loop chilled water with optional liquid-to-chip cooling |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral with diverse fiber entry points |
| PUE Target | PUE Target: |
| Energy Mix | 100% Renewable energy certificates (RECs) and onsite solar potential |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | February 24, 2026 |
| Construction Start | Q3 2026 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Late 2027 |
| Full Buildout | 2029 |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | Estimated €2.5 Billion - €3 Billion |
| Funding | Private Equity / Corporate Balance Sheet |