Question 1

What does the full build-to-suit timeline look like from LOI to first power-on?

Accepted Answer

Phase 1 (Weeks 1–4): RFI review, site feasibility, preliminary EDF power quotation. Phase 2 (Weeks 5–12): Engineering design, building permits, Enedis HTA connection application for loads above 5 MW. Phase 3 (Months 4–12): Civil works, M&E installation, commissioning. Phase 4 (Months 12–18): Phased power delivery at 10–20% of total design load; tenant build-out access begins. Shell-and-core expansions at PAR2, PAR3, PAR6 compress this to 6–12 months from LOI.

Question 2

How does SecNumCloud qualification work for a sovereign cloud operator on your infrastructure?

Accepted Answer

SecNumCloud qualification applies to the cloud service provider (CSP), not the physical facility. Under the SecNumCloud referential, our role falls under activity 1 (Hébergeur Infogérant de Site Physique). We provide the required evidence dossier: physical security architecture, access control logs, environmental monitoring, and supply chain documentation. CSPs typically complete activity 1 review in 4–8 months; we assign a dedicated technical contact throughout.

Question 3

How is grid power connected above 10 MW, and what are the real lead times?

Accepted Answer

Loads above 5 MW receive a dedicated HTA connection (20 kV) directly from the Enedis distribution grid. The Enedis connection study (CACS) takes 3–6 months; physical connection work adds 6–12 months. Costs range €500k–€5M depending on grid proximity and are amortized into the contract. Above 20 MW, HTB connections (63 kV or 225 kV) via direct EDF contract are possible, lead times extend to 18–36 months.

Question 4

What contractually guaranteed PUE levels are available, and how are they enforced?

Accepted Answer

Hyperscale contracts include a contractually guaranteed annualized PUE measured at facility level and reported monthly. Typical guarantees: 1.30 for air-cooled designs; 1.20 for hybrid; 1.15 for fully liquid-cooled campuses. Enforcement: if annualized PUE exceeds the contracted ceiling, a credit is issued equal to the energy overconsumption cost (at contracted energy tariff) for the excess period. Sub-hourly PUE data is accessible via the customer portal.

Question 5

Can HDS certification be structured into a build-to-suit contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HDS certification under activity 1 (Hébergeur Infogérant de Site Physique) is achievable for hyperscale build-to-suit projects. Physical security, environmental monitoring, and operational procedure requirements of the ASIP Santé framework are incorporated into the facility design spec at the RFI stage. We supply the required documentation package for the Organisme de Certification audit. Activity 1 certification typically adds 4–6 months and does not require build modifications if scoped from the start.

Question 6

What is the regulatory and legal framework for a foreign-owned hyperscale datacenter in France?

Accepted Answer

Foreign ownership of French datacenter infrastructure is unrestricted under EU single-market rules. For loads above 10 MW classified as critical national infrastructure (OIV — Opérateur d'Importance Vitale), additional ANSSI oversight applies; we guide clients through the OIV notification process. Foreign-invested infrastructure is protected under the France Investissement treaty framework. Tax treatment for capital expenditure on real property follows standard French corporate tax rules (IS); a tax ruling can be requested from the French tax authority (rescrit fiscal) before signing.

Question 7

How do French permitting timelines compare to Germany or the Netherlands for a new datacenter campus?

Accepted Answer

France's permitting timeline is comparable to Germany and shorter than the Netherlands for large-scale projects. A building permit (permis de construire) for a 20 MW campus typically takes 12–18 months including environmental study (étude d'impact). Enedis HTA grid connection adds 12–18 months in parallel. Our greenfield sites in Essonne are already in permitting, reducing client-facing lead time to 18–24 months from LOI to first power-on. By comparison, Dutch 'bestemmingsplan' changes average 24–36 months for new datacenter campuses.

Hyperscale & Build-to-Suit

Who builds hyperscale infrastructure here

National AI compute, 5–40 MW, EDF direct feed

SecNumCloud and HDS, available from the RFI stage

Shell-and-core now, greenfield from 2027