Amsterdam-based AI cloud provider Nebius has announced plans to build a 240-megawatt AI-optimized data center in Béthune, northern France. The company will develop the facility on the site of a former Bridgestone tire plant and complete it in phases. The project aims to meet Europe’s growing demand for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing infrastructure.
Nebius Chief Commercial Officer Tom Blackwell said the company expects to bring the first phase online by late summer 2026. It plans to have half of the total capacity operational by the end of that year. The 26,000-square-meter (280,000-square-foot) campus will create about 30 full-time jobs. Nebius has already begun hiring, including a data center IT manager in the Béthune area.
One of Europe’s Largest Data Centers
Nebius has not disclosed financial details. However, the Béthune facility will rank among the largest data centers in France and across Europe. It will join other major high-capacity projects, including the Teesside Data Center in the United Kingdom. In France, only the Data4 campus in Essonne, which plans to reach 375MW by the end of 2026, will surpass it.
Blackwell said France emerged as the natural choice because of its strong commitment to AI development. “The choice of France came about quite naturally,” he said. “It reflects the broader public strategy we’ve seen over the past year. The country clearly wants to build a distinctive AI infrastructure in Europe.”
Strengthening Europe’s AI Infrastructure
Blackwell also addressed the broader competitive landscape. He acknowledged the gap between the United States and Europe in AI advancement. “Can Europe fully catch up with the U.S.? That may be difficult at this stage,” he said. “However, Europe can move much faster and reduce its dependence by building larger-scale infrastructure. The answer is yes.”
Béthune is located in the Pas-de-Calais department near Lille and is part of France’s emerging northern data center corridor. While most French data centers cluster around Paris, Lille serves as a secondary hub. The new facility will strengthen northern France’s digital economy and expand capacity for AI, cloud, and high-performance computing workloads.
By redeveloping the former Bridgestone site into a high-density, AI-ready campus, Nebius aims to strengthen Europe’s position in the global AI infrastructure race and support the region’s broader digital growth.
