Summary:
1. Colt Data Centre Services is investing €2.3 billion in constructing a new data center facility near Paris to strengthen France’s digital infrastructure.
2. The facility, Colt Paris 2, is part of a larger plan to build five new data centers by 2031, catering to hyperscale, enterprise, and AI workloads.
3. Colt DCS is prioritizing sustainability with innovative cooling systems and a commitment to renewable energy in its construction and operation.
Article:
Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) has recently broken ground on a new data center facility near Paris, marking the beginning of a €2.3 billion investment plan to bolster France’s position in the European digital infrastructure landscape. The new facility, Colt Paris 2, situated in Villebon-sur-Yvette on a 12.5-acre site, is the first of three data centers planned for the area. Additionally, two more centers, Colt Paris 5 and 6, will be constructed on a separate 5.3-acre plot in Les Ulis, further expanding Colt DCS’s French portfolio.
Designed to cater to hyperscale, enterprise, and AI workloads, the upcoming data centers will collectively have a power capacity of 170 megawatts. Colt DCS is responding to the increasing demand for digital services driven by cloud computing and artificial intelligence applications. The emphasis on high-performance computing and scalability reflects France’s growing prominence as a digital and AI hub within Europe.
A standout feature of Colt Paris 2 is its hybrid cooling system, which combines liquid-to-chip technology with traditional air cooling to support over 100 kilowatts of IT load per cabinet. This innovative design not only meets the heat dissipation needs of high-density computing environments but also ensures efficient water usage and waste heat recovery for the surrounding community. The construction of Colt Paris 2 follows Colt DCS’s Global Reference Design (GRD), focusing on low embodied carbon construction methods and the use of locally sourced materials. Once operational, the facility will run entirely on renewable electricity, aligning with Colt DCS’s commitment to sustainability.
CEO Niclas Sanfridsson highlighted the strategic importance of Colt Paris 2, emphasizing the company’s dedication to innovation and sustainable growth. The project is expected to create around 300 jobs during the construction phase, with over 100 permanent roles anticipated upon completion. By sourcing materials from within Europe, Colt DCS aims to support regional supply chains and reduce the environmental impact of logistics.
Colt DCS’s investment in France underscores the industry’s growing emphasis on sustainable growth and addressing the resource-intensive demands of next-generation technologies. With a focus on performance and ecological responsibility, Colt’s expansion in France positions the company as a key player in enabling AI and cloud innovation across Europe.
