At the 2025 “Choose France” summit, several major data center projects were announced, underscoring the country’s growing appeal for digital infrastructure investment. Backed by a national push for artificial intelligence development and access to low-cost, carbon-free electricity, France offers strong fundamentals for data center operators. Companies entering this growing market must navigate environmental, energy, and urban planning laws and regulations.
A new LawFlash from Morgan Lewis of counsel, Xavier Bigas, covers key legal considerations for data center development in France, including the following:
- Environmental compliance under the ICPE regime
- Permitting requirements related to water usage, biodiversity, and land clearing
- Energy performance obligations
- Urban planning and zoning challenges
- Proposed legal reforms that could streamline approvals and reclassify data centers as projects of major national interest
These elements reflect France’s broader push to modernize infrastructure and create a more predictable environment for data center expansion. For companies pursuing or financing projects in the region, understanding the legal context involved is essential to managing risk.
Morgan Lewis is here to help clients navigate this evolving landscape, whether investing in a new build, expanding operations, or evaluating regulatory risks.