Finance
France Eyes Steps to Speed up Data Centre Grid Connections
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on Google
Quick Summary
France plans to let major data centres temporarily tap into underground cables to bypass slow grid queues and accelerate project timelines, while broader reforms—such as smarter queuing and flexible connections—are under review to attract investment and boost digital sovereignty.
France Seeks Faster Data Centre Connections with Underground Cable Option
France's Efforts to Streamline Data Centre Grid Connections
By Forrest Crellin
Government Initiatives and Proposed Solutions
PARIS, April 23 (Reuters) - France could allow large data centre projects to temporarily connect to underground cable systems as part of an overhaul of its grid connection system, as it tries to cut development times and attract investment, the energy ministry said on Thursday.
Challenges Facing Data Centre Operators
France, like much of Europe, has struggled in recent years with long and cumbersome electricity connection queues as data centre operators race to plug into the grid and get to market.
The Issue of "Ghost Projects"
The bottlenecks have encouraged so-called "ghost projects", where companies secure grid slots for developments that may never be built, crowding out rivals and, in some cases, allowing slots to be traded under a first-come, first-served system.
Temporary Underground Cable Connections
As a short-term fix, the government is considering allowing some large projects to connect to the underground cable network, alongside broader reforms to the current queuing system, the ministry said in its electrification plan.
"Having more data centres in the country also means moving towards our digital sovereignty and towards the decarbonisation of the economy," a government official told reporters.
The temporary underground connection option could be available by the end of the month and would provide power to several very large projects, helping them meet tight time-to-market deadlines, the official said.
Long-Term Grid Reform and Regulatory Actions
Comprehensive Overhaul of the Grid Queue
A deeper overhaul of the grid queue will take longer. Energy regulator CRE is running a consultation, with a decision expected by the end of the year, the ministry said.
Boosting Investment Appeal
The regulator aims to boost France's appeal to investors by cutting connection costs and delays, which in some European countries can stretch to a decade because of clogged queues.
(Reporting by Forrest Crellin. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Temporary underground cable hookups offer a fast-track power solution for large data centres by end of April 2026.
- •Grid connection delays in France—and across Europe—can range from five to ten years, hindering AI and cloud infrastructure development.
- •Broader reforms include smarter queue management, flexible connection schemes, and regulatory overhauls by regulator CRE expected by year-end.
Frequently Asked Questions about France eyes steps to speed up data centre grid connections
1Why is France looking to speed up data centre grid connections?
France aims to reduce development times, support digital sovereignty, and make itself more attractive to investors by addressing slow and cumbersome electricity connection queues.
2What short-term solution is France considering for connecting data centres?
France may allow large data centre projects to temporarily connect to underground cable systems to help them meet tight deadlines.
3What is causing bottlenecks in the French data centre grid connection process?
Long queues, 'ghost projects' reserving slots for developments that may never be built, and a first-come, first-served system are causing delays and inefficiencies.
4Who is responsible for the long-term overhaul of grid connection queues in France?
France's energy regulator CRE is running a consultation and is expected to make decisions on broader reforms by the end of the year.
5How could these reforms benefit investors and the French economy?
Cutting connection costs and delays can attract investment, contribute to the country's digital sovereignty, and advance its decarbonisation goals.
