Orange is preparing one of France’s largest digital infrastructure investments through a planned €3 billion (US$3.14 billion) joint venture with global infrastructure investor Morrison. The proposed platform will target 400 megawatts (MW) of data center capacity, reflecting the accelerating demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure across Europe. Rather than developing isolated facilities, the partnership aims to build a long-term national platform that expands existing assets while positioning France for the next generation of digital workloads. The transaction also signals growing investor confidence in sovereign infrastructure as enterprises seek trusted locations for AI deployment.
The proposed venture will be structured as a 50-50 jointly controlled company focused on developing and upgrading Orange’s existing French data center portfolio. The partners intend to combine Orange’s operational footprint with Morrison’s infrastructure investment capabilities to accelerate new capacity over the coming years. As hyperscale cloud providers continue expanding across Europe, infrastructure owners increasingly view platform-based investments as a faster route to scaling capacity than standalone developments. The initiative reflects that broader shift toward institutional capital supporting strategic digital infrastructure. Christel Heydemann, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Group, said: “France needs sovereign, trusted digital infrastructure to support the accelerating demand for cloud and AI. This partnership with Morrison will unlock the value of Orange’s existing assets, strengthen our position in data centres and accelerate capacity deployment.”
Existing Orange Campuses Form the Foundation of the Platform
Orange will contribute five major data centers spread across four campuses in France, creating the operational foundation for the new platform. The portfolio includes facilities in Chevilly-Larue, Aubervilliers, Chartres and Val-de-Reuil, which will support future expansion under the joint venture. Building on established infrastructure allows the partners to increase capacity more efficiently while responding to rapidly growing enterprise and hyperscale demand. The approach also reduces development complexity by leveraging operational sites that already serve the French market.
Morrison will provide equity through its global value-add investment strategy, supporting both expansion projects and modernization initiatives across the portfolio. The infrastructure investor has steadily increased its exposure to digital assets as cloud adoption, AI computing and enterprise data requirements reshape long-term infrastructure demand. The investment demonstrates how financial institutions continue viewing data centers as strategic assets with durable growth potential. Moreover, the partnership aligns capital deployment with assets that already possess operational scale and commercial relevance.
Sovereign Infrastructure Strategy Shapes Long-Term Growth
The proposed platform forms part of Orange’s broader “Trust the Future” strategy, which positions trusted digital infrastructure as a competitive advantage for enterprise services. Sovereignty has become an increasingly important consideration for governments, regulated industries and large organizations as AI adoption expands across Europe. By combining local infrastructure ownership with long-term investment capital, the companies aim to strengthen France’s role within Europe’s digital economy while addressing future cloud and AI requirements. The investment therefore extends beyond capacity expansion into broader national digital resilience. William Smales, Chief Investment Officer at Morrison, said Europe will require significant new investment in trusted infrastructure to support cloud, AI and data-intensive applications. He said France can lead Europe’s digital economy, and the partnership will help build the sovereign infrastructure required for future growth.
The partners expect the platform to serve organizations operating across France with infrastructure designed for large-scale cloud, colocation and AI deployments. France’s electricity mix, among the most decarbonized in Europe, also supports the project’s sustainability ambitions alongside high standards for energy efficiency. Those characteristics continue attracting operators seeking infrastructure that balances computing performance with environmental objectives. As a result, the platform intends to deliver long-term capacity while supporting evolving sustainability expectations across enterprise customers.
Orange Business to Lead Commercial Rollout
Orange Business is expected to become the exclusive commercial partner responsible for distributing colocation and hosting services developed through the joint venture. The offering will target large enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, and public sector organizations requiring secure digital infrastructure inside France. Combining Orange’s commercial reach with Morrison’s investment capabilities allows the platform to align infrastructure deployment with customer demand while accelerating new capacity introductions. The model also integrates industrial expertise with commercial execution under a single operating structure.
The companies expect to sign the transaction before the end of 2026 following consultations with the relevant employee representative bodies. Completion of the joint venture remains subject to customary approvals, with closing anticipated during the first quarter of 2027. Once established, the platform is expected to become a strategic investment supporting France’s long-term position as a leading European destination for digital infrastructure, AI computing and cloud services. The development also underscores how telecom operators are increasingly monetizing infrastructure assets while expanding their role in Europe’s AI ecosystem.
