The EU launches the call for tenders to select up to seven AI gigafactories

2026-07-30 · Publisher : Commission européenne · Domain : Cloud & DevOps

The European Commission and EuroHPC open the call for tenders to select up to seven AI gigafactories in Europe, with applications until 12 November 2026 and awards expected in early 2027.

### Background On 30 July 2026, the European Commission and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking launch the **formal call for tenders to select AI gigafactory consortia**. They aim for up to seven infrastructures in the Union. Applications are open until 12 November 2026, award decisions are expected in early 2027 and construction of the first gigafactory is due to start in 2027. The legal framework was set on 16 January 2026, when the Council adapted the EuroHPC regulation to include these infrastructures. ### Key facts - Target: up to seven AI gigafactories, whereas InvestAI mentioned four to five in February 2025. - Schedule: applications until 12 November 2026, awards in early 2027, entry into service within 18 months of contract signature at most. - Applicants: consortia of businesses, investors and public bodies, on one or several sites, including cross-border projects. - Size: a site of over 100,000 specialized processors, versus about 25,000 for a current AI factory. - Funding: EUR 20 billion mobilised by the EU, with the European Investment Bank; a total of over EUR 30 billion targeted according to an analysis. ### Why it matters Europe moves from announcement to execution: applicant consortia and Member States will now set location, energy and partners. For European companies, these gigafactories should give access to large AI compute on European soil, but not before 2028. The tight schedule and competition with US campuses are the main risks. ### Takeaway The call for tenders is open until 12 November 2026: the awards, in early 2027, will tell where the gigafactories will be.

Tags : Europe, Datacenter, IA, Souveraineté, Puces