Orange has announced plans to form a joint venture with infrastructure investor Morrison to expand data centre capacity in France. The move comes as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing services continues to rise.
Under the proposed agreement, both companies will own 50% of the venture. Together, they plan to develop 400 megawatts of data centre capacity, nearly 10 times Orange’s current capacity.
€3 Billion Investment Programme
The partners will support the project through a €3 billion investment programme. Specifically, the funding will combine Orange’s existing data centre assets, Morrison’s equity investment and debt financing.
In addition, Orange will contribute five data centres in France to the new platform. Morrison will provide the equity capital required to support future expansion.
Completion Expected in 2027
The companies expect to sign the agreement by the end of 2026. After that, they aim to complete the transaction in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Focus on AI Growth
Overall, the investment highlights the rapid growth in demand for AI infrastructure across Europe. As a result, Orange and Morrison aim to strengthen France’s capacity for advanced cloud computing and next-generation digital services.
