The EU plans to compete with the United States and China in the race for artificial intelligence by building cutting-edge infrastructures that could reshape the global digital landscape.
The European Union has taken a bold step in the global race for leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). In an unprecedented move, the bloc intends to invest €30 billion to develop a network of high-performance data centers specialized in AI, equipped with over 100,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) and consuming a total of 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity. This initiative would position Europe at the forefront of worldwide computational infrastructure alongside giants like the US and China.
AI as a Strategic Driver for Europe’s Future
The rise of language models such as GPT-4, Gemini, Claude, and Llama 3, along with the growth of European companies like Mistral AI—which recently launched its Magistral model—has fueled the debate on Europe’s technological sovereignty. The new investment aims precisely to strengthen that autonomy by providing the continent with an independent and sovereign infrastructure to train and deploy next-generation AI models.
Sources involved in the project anticipate an initial investment of €10 billion to establish 13 early data centers, followed by an additional €20 billion to create a scalable network capable of competing with the world’s leading powers. This network is expected to reach a consumption of 1,000 megawatts of electricity, making it one of the most powerful digital infrastructures ever built on European soil.
Global Comparison: Europe vs. Meta, xAI, and the US
To grasp the scale of this plan, it’s helpful to compare it with ongoing projects by players like Meta, which is developing Prometheus—a 1 GW data center scheduled for 2026—and Hyperion, which could reach 5 GW in later phases. Also noteworthy is Elon Musk’s xAI, which already has its Colossus cluster comprising 100,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs but with a consumption of only 150 MW.
In this context, the data centers planned by the EU—if completed as projected—would surpass most current projects in installed capacity, except for the most ambitious Silicon Valley initiatives. However, questions remain about the types of chips they will use, as Europe still lacks a local GPU manufacturing capacity comparable to NVIDIA or AMD.
Where Will the European Supercenters Be Located?
The first data center in this new network could be operational within weeks, with a large-scale launch beginning in September in Munich, Germany, one of the continent’s most dynamic tech hubs. However, other strategic sites are still under consideration, particularly those with access to renewable energy, advanced fiber optic networks, and environments suitable for sensitive data.
Among the potential locations are Spain, the Netherlands, France, and the Nordic countries, all with growing digital ecosystems and favorable conditions for hosting hyperscale infrastructure.
Energy and Ecological Implications
The project’s scale also presents significant energy challenges. With a projected consumption of 1 GW, these centers will require guarantees of stable and sustainable power supply, potentially leading to new partnerships with utility companies like Iberdrola or EDF, or even the development of associated photovoltaic plants and wind farms. In an increasingly environmentally conscious Europe, energy efficiency will be crucial in legitimizing this investment.
Key Details of the European AI Project
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Total projected investment | €30 billion |
| Estimated number of centers | More than 13 in the first phase |
| Projected GPUs | 100,000 units or more |
| Total energy consumption | 1 GW (1,000 MW) |
| First center operational | In weeks; large deployment starting September in Munich |
| Main goal | Sovereign AI and advanced computing infrastructure |
Europe Determined Not to Fall Behind
With this initiative, the EU aims to ensure that the continent’s talent and research in AI do not rely solely on infrastructures from third countries, such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or Asian chip dominance. It’s both a project of technological sovereignty and economic and strategic resilience.
Although numerous challenges lie ahead—including securing GPUs amid global shortages, recruiting specialized talent, and harmonizing regulations across member states—it represents Europe’s most ambitious move in AI infrastructure to date.
The race for artificial intelligence is no longer just about models but also about data centers, energy, chips, and strategic positioning. And with €30 billion at stake, Europe has made it clear that it wants to be a major player in the global digital future, not just a spectator.