Phoenix Group Expands AI Data Center Operations Into Europe
Phoenix Group, an Abu Dhabi-listed company under IHC, partnered with DC Max to develop its first European AI data center in Lyon. The project includes an 18MW artificial intelligence-focused facility and launches Phoenix Group’s broader European Data Center Platform.
Additionally, the initiative targets more than 1GW of combined AI and high-performance computing capacity across Europe and the GCC region. The company aligned the expansion with the UAE’s wider ambitions in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.
DC Max will manage site origination, permitting, and grid access. Meanwhile, Phoenix Group will oversee capital investment and infrastructure deployment operations.
France Emerges as Strategic AI Hub
Phoenix Group identified France as a priority market because of its industrial infrastructure, available power capacity, and expanding digital economy. Furthermore, the company selected Lyon due to its strong electrical infrastructure, established industrial ecosystem, and lower land costs compared with Paris.
At the same time, demand for AI infrastructure across Europe continues to accelerate. Enterprises and hyperscale technology firms are securing compute capacity well before deployment deadlines. However, conventional European data center projects often require between 36 and 48 months for development, which limits supply responsiveness.
Consequently, the partnership aims to accelerate deployment timelines and improve infrastructure scalability across key European markets.
Platform Targets Large-Scale Infrastructure Growth
The companies structured the collaboration as a scalable development platform instead of a single-project venture. Moreover, the platform includes a pipeline exceeding 1GW of opportunities with an estimated value of nearly $8 billion.
The new initiative will also complement Phoenix Group’s existing infrastructure portfolio, which already includes 550MW of deployed capacity across the UAE, Oman, North America, and Ethiopia. Therefore, the Lyon project strengthens the company’s position in the rapidly growing global AI infrastructure sector while expanding its international footprint.
