Pioneering AI Infrastructure: Nebius's Strategic Expansion in Europe
Nebius's Ambitious European Data Center Initiative
Nebius, an AI cloud services company based in Amsterdam, has unveiled plans for a substantial 240-megawatt data center project in Béthune, France. This undertaking is strategically located near Lille and is projected to be among the largest data facilities in Europe upon its completion, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion.
Phased Development and Rapid Deployment Schedule
The new data center will emerge from the transformation of a former Bridgestone tire manufacturing facility. According to Tom Blackwell, Nebius's Chief Communications Officer, the project is scheduled for a phased rollout, with initial operational capacity anticipated by the end of the upcoming summer. A significant portion, roughly half, of the facility is expected to be fully functional by the close of 2026, indicating an aggressive development timeline.
Nebius's Prominent Position in the AI Infrastructure Market
Nebius has established a strong reputation within the industry through a series of high-profile agreements to deliver AI infrastructure to leading U.S. hyperscale cloud providers. Notable collaborations include a substantial $17 billion partnership with Microsoft and a $3 billion deal with Meta. The company is frequently recognized alongside firms like Coreweave of the U.S. as a pivotal innovator in the emerging "neocloud" sector, highlighting its critical role in advanced cloud computing solutions.
Significant Investment in a State-of-the-Art Facility
While the precise financial details of the Béthune data center project have not been disclosed, a facility of this immense scale typically necessitates an investment in the range of several billion euros. This substantial financial commitment reflects the complexity and advanced technological requirements inherent in developing such a large-scale AI cloud infrastructure. The investment underscores Nebius's dedication to meeting the escalating demands for AI-driven services and high-performance computing resources.