Supporting the development of Europe's largest campus dedicated to artificial intelligence, France
SOCOTEC is supporting the development of a strategic project for European digital sovereignty: the creation in Fouju, Seine-et-Marne, of the largest European campus dedicated to artificial intelligence. A major project combining next-generation datacenters, high-performance computing, and strong environmental requirements.
Key Information
- Date : Since 2025
- Client : Campus AI
- Size : 1.4 gigawatt energy capacity
- Location : Fouju, Seine-et-Marne
- SOCOTEC Contacts : Thibaud Montbel, Prosper Amoyal, Céline Pignot
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Project Overview
Led by Campus AI, a joint venture bringing together MGX, Mistral AI, NVIDIA, and Bpifrance, the Fouju campus project (Seine-et-Marne) aims to become a major player in the European artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Located on a total area of 89 hectares, the project plans for a limited urbanized surface of 73 hectares, dedicated to the campus's technological infrastructure latest-generation datacenters, high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities, as well as training and innovation spaces.
More than 15 hectares will remain non-urbanized, maintained for agricultural and ecological purposes. These spaces will enable the preservation and enhancement of ecological continuities, with the integration of ecological corridors within the site, reflecting a commitment to controlling land artificialization and environmental integration of the project.
With an exceptional energy capacity of 1.4 gigawatts and a commensurate investment, the campus ranks among the most significant digital projects ever undertaken in Europe. Its gradual commissioning will begin in 2028, with the construction of the first three datacenter buildings integrating supercomputers, essential for training the most advanced AI models.
Beyond its technological dimension, the project addresses major strategic issues: strengthening European sovereignty in data and computing capabilities, supporting the competitiveness of the French economy, promoting local synergies in the Seine-et-Marne territory while integrating high environmental standards from its conception, translated through impact control, resource efficiency, and territorial integration respectful of ecological balances.
Mission description
Drawing on its recognized expertise in supporting datacenter projects, SOCOTEC is involved very early in the Fouju AI campus to secure its feasibility, control its impacts, and support its long-term implementation. The Group's teams deploy a comprehensive approach, combining environmental, technical, and risk prevention expertise to meet the specific requirements of this extraordinary project.
SOCOTEC, preferred partner in the data center sector
Facing the rapid growth of digital usage and energy transition challenges, SOCOTEC has established itself as a reference partner for datacenter sector players, both in France and internationally. The Group deploys a comprehensive offering covering the entire asset lifecycle, from feasibility to operation.
1. Anticipating and managing environmental impacts
SOCOTEC supports projects from the earliest stages, by preparing Environmental Authorization files (ICPE/IOTA), assessing environmental impacts, and defining appropriate prevention measures.
According to Céline Pignot, Business Manager and Development Manager for Industrial Risks and ICPE, "SOCOTEC's environmental expertise enables us to support datacenter projects across all prevention challenges, from biodiversity to resource management and risk control."
2. Securing design and construction
The Group provides technical consulting, risk prevention, and Health and Safety Coordination (SPS), to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, and installation performance.
For Prosper Amoyal, Datacenters Business Director, SOCOTEC has been able to "enhance its solutions over more than 20 years of experience, by fully integrating the sustainability, safety, and energy transition challenges specific to the sector."
3. Optimizing asset performance and sustainability
Finally, SOCOTEC supports its clients with commissioning assistance (CxA, CxM), environmental certifications (BREEAM, LEED, BiodiverCity), and assistance in obtaining financing.
Thibaud Montbel, Director of the CEO's Office of SOCOTEC Group, in charge of coordinating the Group's Datacenter activities, emphasizes that "this 360° positioning, combining technical expertise, sustainability, and environmental performance, coupled with our multi-local DNA, enables SOCOTEC to establish a lasting distinction in the digital infrastructure market."
This campus represents a key lever for establishing France's digital independence and accelerating AI use in strategic sectors. Its realization is made possible through the investment of expert partners, such as SOCOTEC, capable of anticipating the technical and regulatory complexity of such a project.
