OpCore Teams Up with EDF to Build €4B Data Centre in France

The OpCore data-centre business has entered a landmark partnership with French utility giant EDF to develop a €4 billion hyperscale facility in France. This move ramps up Europe’s push into high-capacity computing and digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence, cloud, and industrial services. 

The project will be located at the former EDF coal-fired power plant in Montereau‑Vallée‑de‑la‑Seine, about 75 km southeast of Paris, and is expected to come online in its first phase in 2027 under France’s fast-track grid-connection scheme. 

Why OpCore Is Positioned for a Major Leap

Who is OpCore?

OpCore is a European data-centre operator created from the data-centre arm of the Iliad Group and backed by investment firm InfraVia Capital Partners. It has over 20 years of experience in designing, building, and operating data-centre facilities across France and Poland, servicing hyperscalers, technology firms, and large enterprises. 

What is the project scale?

This data-centre project with EDF is estimated at €4 billion and will host several hundred megawatts of capacity, making it one of Europe’s largest computing hubs.

The site repurposes industrial land formerly used for coal power, offering existing grid connections and infrastructure advantages. 

Why is OpCore making this move?

Why now for OpCore?
The answer involves rising demand for AI-power, cloud services and energy-efficient infrastructure. OpCore’s background in high-efficiency data-centres aligns with the shift to large-scale industrial computing, making this project a natural next step.

In addition, partnering with EDF gives access to land, grid infrastructure, and support from French authorities focused on digital sovereignty. 

Strategic Importance of the OpCore-EDF Partnership

What benefits for France and Europe?

This project supports France’s aim to become a leading digital and AI hub in Europe. The French Economy Minister, Roland Lescure, said this investment demonstrates France’s intention to lead the artificial-intelligence revolution.

By locating one of the largest computing hubs at Montereau-Vallée-de-la-Seine, it helps strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure resilience and capacity.

What role does EDF play?

EDF, as France’s major energy and industrial land owner, is providing the site and facilitating grid access. It launched a call for interest early in 2025 to repurpose its industrial sites for strategic digital infrastructure.

EDF’s mission of supplying reliable, low-carbon power meshes with the data-centre need for abundant, stable electricity, making the site choice strategic from both infrastructure and sustainability angles.

For OpCore what does this mean?

For OpCore it means taking a step into “hyperscale” territory with hundreds of megawatts of planned capacity, far beyond its existing footprint.
It also means aligning with national policy, gaining access to prime land, and developing its reputation as a major European data-centre platform.

Technical and Project Details of the OpCore-EDF Data Centre

Where and when?

The site: Montereau-Vallée-de-la-Seine (municipalities of Vernou-La-Celle-sur-Seine and La Grande-Paroisse), about 75 km from Paris
Initial launch: The first phase of the data centre is scheduled for 2027 under France’s fast-track grid connection scheme. 

What about capacity and power?

The project will support several hundred megawatts of capacity, leveraging the former power-plant site’s grid infrastructure and industrial land. The site is circa 20 hectares and already authorised for a substantial grid connection, potential for up to 700 MW exists according to earlier reporting.

What about sustainability and reuse?

By repurposing a former coal-fired plant site shut down in 2004, the project emphasizes industrial rehabilitation, local employment, and environmental quality. 

The emphasis is on energy efficiency, optimised flows, local integration,a nd circular-economy contribution. 

What are the Risks and Opportunities for OpCore?

Opportunities

• Big growth potential: With industry demand for AI capacity and cloud services rising fast, this project positions OpCore for major scale.
• First‐mover advantage: Having one of the largest data centres in Europe gives OpCore a strong competitive position.
• Strategic alignment: The project dovetails with national digital strategies, boosting the chance of timely approvals and support.

Risks

What could go wrong for the OpCore-EDF venture?
Execution risk is real: building hundreds of megawatts of capacity in time demands tight project management, infrastructure delivery, and regulatory coordination.

There is also the risk of power and cooling cost inflation, supply-chain constraints for high-density cooling or servers, and competition for talent and capital in the data-centre market.

What to watch for first?

Look for:

• Final binding agreement between OpCore & EDF (currently in exclusive negotiations) 
• Details of the grid-connection timeline and exact capacity commitments.
• Partnerships with cloud/hyperscaler firms signalling tenants for the new campus.
• Local employment numbers and sustainability certifications for the facility.

Conclusion

The partnership between OpCore and EDF to build a €4 billion data centre in France marks a major move for OpCore, as the company leaps into hyperscale territory and aligns itself with Europe’s surge in demand for large-scale digital infrastructure. Large capacity, industrial land reuse, national policy backing, and the time-sensitive nature of AI and cloud growth all point to this being a high-impact project.

But the journey from plan to operation carries substantial risks: execution, timeline, infrastructure, and market competition all matter. For OpCore this could be a landmark achievement that defines its future and helps cement France’s role as a digital infrastructure hub in Europe, if all the pieces fall into place.

Disclaimer

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.