Plans to build artificial intelligence data centres are becoming a political issue in France’s upcoming municipal elections, as candidates in several towns campaign against projects they say could harm local communities.
In the Paris suburb of Le Bourget, municipal candidate Sofiane Milous has pledged to reverse plans for a new data centre if elected. Milous, a former judo champion running on a green platform, argues the project would worsen urban heat, increase noise pollution and provide few jobs for local residents.
“We lost an industry that gave us a livelihood, even if it polluted, and now we face this new ‘industry 4.0’ that doesn’t create jobs for residents,” he said.
AI Investment Push From Government
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly backed the expansion of data centres as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Europe’s position in artificial intelligence.
Last year he announced plans for around €109 billion in private-sector investment in AI infrastructure, declaring that France was “back in the AI race”.
But the rapid expansion of such facilities has raised concerns among residents and politicians about their environmental impact and electricity consumption.
Local Resistance Growing
Candidates in at least ten towns, including major cities such as Marseille and Bordeaux, are campaigning against new data centre projects or demanding greater transparency and environmental safeguards.
While the issue may not determine the outcome of France’s municipal elections, analysts say it reflects growing public concern over the scale of infrastructure required for AI development.
Similar opposition has also appeared in other parts of Europe and the United States as communities question the environmental and economic costs of hosting data centres.
Power Demand And Environmental Concerns
Data centres require large amounts of electricity and water for cooling, raising concerns about pressure on power grids and local resources.
France hopes to attract investment by promoting its nuclear energy sector as a reliable source of low-carbon electricity. However, critics argue the facilities may still strain infrastructure and offer limited benefits to local communities.
Some politicians and advocacy groups are also warning that new laws designed to speed up data centre development could weaken environmental oversight and reduce public participation in planning decisions.
(with inputs from Reuters)
