Google Plans French Data Center Campus That Could Need More Than 1 GW

Google plans to build its first wholly owned hyperscale data center campus in France near Étrechet, outside Châteauroux. The site is expected to cover about 195 to 200 hectares and include six to eight buildings developed over 10 to 20 years. The first structure is projected to reach completion in about 2030.

The campus would initially draw 120 megawatts through a 225-kilovolt grid connection. At full build-out, estimated demand ranges from about 500 megawatts to more than 1 gigawatt. The campus and related grid work are estimated to cost about €8.6 billion, and the project is expected to create more than 1,200 direct operating jobs.

Google and ENGIE are discussing whether heat from the data center could be recovered for local heating networks. No delivery contract has been signed. The amount of heat and potential recipients have not been determined, so the heat supply remains a possibility under discussion.

Châteauroux Métropole leaders support the project, citing job creation and broader economic gains. Residents, environmental advocates and some local officials have raised concerns about land use, infrastructure demands and environmental effects. A petition opposing the project has gathered about 16,000 signatures, and a public meeting drew around 700 people.

Google's European data center plans also include a €13 billion expansion in Finland. Preparatory work at planned sites in Muhos and Kajaani was suspended pending completion of environmental impact assessments, part of the environmental review of Google's Finland plan.

The public consultation for the French project opened Nov. 2, 2026, and is scheduled to run through Jan. 10, 2027.