Amsterdam-Based Nebius to Build 240-Megawatt AI Data Centre Near Lille

AMSTERDAM, Feb 12 (GeokHub) — Dutch AI cloud services firm Nebius announced plans to construct a 240-megawatt data centre in Béthune, near Lille, France, which is set to become one of Europe’s largest AI-focused facilities.

The project reflects a surge in demand as European companies in manufacturing, logistics, and services increasingly deploy AI tools to enhance operations.

Redevelopment of Former Tyre Plant

The Béthune site is a redevelopment of a former Bridgestone tyre factory. Nebius plans to bring the first phase online by late summer 2026, with roughly half of the facility operational by year-end, according to Nebius Chief Communications Officer Tom Blackwell.

While Nebius reported wider fourth-quarter losses due to heavy investment in capacity expansion, revenue grew significantly as the company ramps up to meet booming AI demand.

Funding from Major U.S. Deals

Nebius, alongside U.S.-based CoreWeave, is considered a leading “neocloud” provider. It has secured high-profile AI infrastructure deals, including $17 billion with Microsoft and $3 billion with Meta, which are helping fund its European expansion.

Blackwell noted that while the U.S. remains Nebius’s largest market, establishing a European presence is essential given the continent’s growing adoption of AI technologies.

Scale and Costs

Nebius did not disclose the project’s cost. Industry estimates suggest that AI data centres of this scale may require $2.4 to $3.6 billion, based on average development costs of $10–14 million per megawatt. Construction will be managed by French firm Azur, while Nebius will source Nvidia chips to power the data centre.

Other European operations include Nebius’s largest 75-megawatt facility in Finland, along with smaller co-location sites in London, Paris, and Iceland.

The Béthune facility underscores Europe’s accelerating AI infrastructure growth and Nebius’s commitment to supporting enterprise adoption across the continent.