At the recent AI Action Summit in Paris, EDF announced plans to invite digital companies to develop new data centres across France. The initiative aims to provide these companies with access to suitable sites, emphasizing France’s low-carbon and competitively priced electricity.
EDF intends to offer ready-to-use land connected to the electrical grid, potentially reducing project completion times by several years. Site allocation will be based on objective criteria, focusing on the credibility and maturity of the companies’ projects. Additionally, EDF will provide personalized support throughout the project development process and may propose tailored electricity supply and service offers.
The company has pre-identified four industrial sites on its land, with a total available power estimated at 2GW, and plans to select two additional sites by 2026.
Stéphane Raison, Director of EDF in charge of the installation of large consumption sites, highlighted France’s abundant, competitive, and low-carbon electricity mix, primarily composed of nuclear and renewables. He emphasized this as a significant asset for attracting digital sector players whose electricity needs are linked to the development of artificial intelligence.
The AI Action Summit, held on 10 and 11 February 2025 at the Grand Palais in Paris, gathered heads of state and government, international organization leaders, CEOs, academics, and civil society members. Discussions focused on establishing scientific foundations, solutions, and standards for more sustainable AI serving collective progress and the public interest.
Notably, the US and UK declined to sign a declaration on “inclusive and sustainable” AI during the summit, citing concerns over excessive regulation. This move highlighted differing global perspectives on AI governance.
EDF’s initiative aligns with the summit’s themes by promoting infrastructure development that supports the digital economy while leveraging France’s low-carbon energy resources.
