On the occasion of the AI Action Summit, EDF announces the upcoming launch of a call for expressions of interest for digital companies. The objective is to provide these companies with access to suitable sites for developing new data centers in France.
By launching this call for expressions of interest, EDF aims to highlight one of the key advantages that France offers for the installation of data centers: access to low-carbon electricity, at competitive prices, and available at all times.
To remove potential investment barriers and accelerate project development supporting electrification, EDF will offer to the digital companies who are interested, ready-to-use land spaces connected to the electrical grid. This will reduce the time needed to complete projects by several years. Land spaces will be allocated on the basis of objective and transparent criteria, focusing in particular on the credibility and maturity of companies' projects.
For digital companies who wish to do so, EDF will also offer personalized support for the end-to-end completion of the necessary steps to develop their project.
In addition, EDF group may propose electricity supply and service offers suited to their projects.
EDF has pre-identified 4 industrial sites on its own land, with a total available power estimated at 2GW. The identification of land spaces continues with the goal of selecting 2 additional sites by 2026.
Stéphane Raison, Director of EDF in charge of the installation of large consumption sites, stated: "In France, thanks to EDF and its mix mainly composed of nuclear and renewables, our electricity is abundant, competitive, and low-carbon. This is a major asset to attract players in the digital sector whose electricity needs are linked to the development of Artificial Intelligence. EDF offers concrete solutions to companies wishing to set up in France with the aim of accelerating the time needed to complete their projects."