AI Datacenter in Fouju: Disputed Procedure and €50 Billion

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Key Takeaways

1Limited public consultation lasting one month, criticized by elected officials

290 hectares, 11 data centers, and 1.4 GW targeted in Fouju (Seine-et-Marne)

3€50 billion announced by Nvidia, MGX, Bpifrance, and Mistral AI

💡Why it matters — The project aims to enhance French competitiveness in AI, while raising significant concerns about the process and environmental impact.

In Fouju, Seine-et-Marne, a campus of 11 data centers covering 90 hectares, authorized at the end of July, is facing ecological and political opposition. Opponents highlight environmental risks and a public debate deemed too short, while proponents cite €50 billion in funding and a strategic role for AI.

One-Month Consultation and Criticism of Democratic Deficit

The public consultation dedicated to the project took place from April 30 to May 30, lasting one month. Communist regional councilor Céline Malaisé denounces a denial of democracy and a timeline considered rushed, as the project was only approved in 2025. She believes the expression period is too short and mentions a special privilege that poses a democratic problem. Administratively, the prefect authorized construction on July 29.

Heat, PFAS, and Hydrocarbons: Highlighted Risks

Opponents fear leaks of refrigerant gases, including PFAS, despite the promoter emphasizing a waterless cooling system. Jean-François Dupont from France Nature Environnement warns of heat rejection into the air that could create heat islands and estimates thermal output equivalent to 200,000 households. Opponents also point to an expected temperature increase of two degrees around the site and cite a risk of hydrocarbon leaks related to backup generators. The targeted electricity consumption ultimately reaches 1.4 gigawatts.

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Local Footprint: 90 Hectares and Agricultural Land in Fouju

The campus is set to occupy 90 hectares of currently cultivated land in Fouju, near Melun, about forty kilometers from Paris. The municipality has 650 inhabitants. Ultimately, the project would include 11 data centers. Pauline Isambert from the Confédération paysanne of Île-de-France considers the project ecologically incoherent and opposes land artificialization.

Announced Funding of €50 Billion and AI Objective

The total announced investment reaches €50 billion, with backers including Nvidia, MGX, Bpifrance, and Mistral AI. Proponents present the campus as a lever to boost the region, create jobs, and prevent France from falling behind in artificial intelligence. However, opponents challenge the relevance of these promises in light of the impacts. Mobilization is taking shape: a gathering in Melun has been planned by the Stop Campus IA collective, and a petition has already gathered 50,000 signatures.