Orange SA and infrastructure manager Morrison are partnering to establish a data center company in France, aiming to bolster European digital sovereignty.
The joint venture represents a strategic move by the telecommunications giant and infrastructure specialist to build critical computing capacity within Europe. The partnership addresses growing demand for data processing infrastructure while reducing dependence on non-European providers.
The initiative aligns with broader European efforts to strengthen technological independence and secure digital infrastructure. France has positioned itself as a hub for data center development, with government backing for projects that support regional digital capabilities.
The venture comes as European regulators increasingly scrutinize data center expansion. The UK's energy regulator recently proposed new rules requiring substantial upfront financial commitments and stricter project milestones to prevent speculative data centers from congesting grid connection queues.
Details on the French project's location, capacity, and timeline remain limited. The partnership signals confidence in France's regulatory environment and infrastructure capabilities for large-scale data center operations.
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