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SoftBank’s €75 Billion AI Investment Highlights Europe’s Energy Challenge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 3, 2026

France Attracts Major AI Infrastructure Investment

SoftBank plans to invest €75 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure in France, including the development of 3.1 GW of AI data centre capacity in the Hauts-de-France region. The project highlights France’s growing role in Europe’s AI infrastructure race while drawing attention to one of the sector’s biggest challenges: access to affordable and reliable electricity.

France’s Nuclear Advantage

France is better positioned than many European countries to support large-scale AI infrastructure projects due to its energy mix. More than 60% of the country’s electricity is generated from nuclear power, providing a stable source of energy for data centres and other power-intensive industries. The advantage comes as European businesses continue to face higher electricity costs than competitors in several other major economies.

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The Energy Cost Challenge

Rising demand from AI and data centres is increasing pressure on electricity systems globally. According to the International Energy Agency, many energy-intensive industries in Europe face electricity costs roughly twice as high as those in the United States and around 50% higher than in China and India. As a result, access to long-term, competitively priced electricity is becoming an increasingly important factor in data centre investment decisions.

Innovations In Nuclear Energy

Technology companies are also exploring new energy solutions to support future growth. Small modular reactors (SMRs) have attracted growing interest from the technology sector, with companies including Amazon and Google signing agreements related to the development of the technology. Supporters argue that SMRs could provide dedicated low-carbon electricity for data centres, although large-scale deployment remains years away and faces regulatory and commercial challenges.

London As A New Tech Epicenter

Alongside energy considerations, access to talent remains a key factor in expansion plans. Companies including Nvidia-backed Runway, Anthropic, OpenAI and Google have expanded or announced plans to expand operations in London, attracted by the city’s concentration of AI researchers, engineers and technology professionals. The trend highlights how both energy infrastructure and skilled labour are becoming increasingly important in the competition to attract AI investment.

Conclusion

SoftBank’s planned investment in France reflects a broader shift as technology companies seek locations that can provide both computing infrastructure and long-term energy security. As AI computing demands continue to grow, access to power, infrastructure and talent is likely to play an increasingly important role in determining where future investments are made.

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Brussels Puts Housing Affordability At The Centre Of Social Policy

Preventing homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing topped the agenda in Brussels this week as the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) discussed new EU measures to tackle housing exclusion.

The debate comes as Cyprus continues to report a lower-than-average risk of poverty and social exclusion, despite growing housing pressures across Europe.

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Housing Rises On The EU Agenda

The committee focused on preventing homelessness, supporting people in insecure housing and expanding social and affordable housing.

EMPL Chair Li Andersson said homelessness should be treated not only as a housing issue but also as a matter of social inclusion and prevention. Although housing policy remains largely a national responsibility, she said the EU can support member states through coordination and the sharing of best practices.

Ciaran Mullooly, vice-chair of Parliament’s housing committee, said the proposal, presented alongside the EU’s first anti-poverty strategy, reflects the growing importance of housing within European social policy.

He noted that 92.7 million people, or 20.9% of the EU population, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, while around one million people were homeless. House prices have risen by more than 60% across the EU over the past decade, while rents have increased by more than 20%.

The proposal promotes early intervention, eviction prevention, Housing First policies and greater investment in social and affordable housing. It also calls for stronger support for vulnerable groups and would introduce five-year reviews to monitor progress.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

According to the latest Eurostat data, 17.1% of Cyprus’ population, or around 167,000 people, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, compared with the EU average of 20.9%.

Women remained more exposed than men, while severe material and social deprivation fell to 2.2%. Cyprus also recorded the EU’s second-lowest child poverty or social exclusion rate at 14.8%, although older people continued to face a significantly higher risk than the EU average.

The debate reflects a broader shift in EU policy, with housing affordability increasingly viewed as a social challenge requiring earlier intervention and stronger public support, rather than solely a housing market issue.