Nation Data Center Expands French Footprint with Rennes Facility
French colocation firm Nation Data Center has inaugurated its first sovereign data center facility located near Rennes in Brittany, according to company announcements and local press reports. The new NDC Roazhon facility represents the initial implementation of the company’s strategy to develop a network of 15 French data centers by 2030, with sources indicating this launch marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion plans across France.
Sovereign Infrastructure Strategy
The company stated on LinkedIn that “this data center embodies our ambition: to offer a sovereign, responsible, and local infrastructure, at the service of the territories and the digital transition.” According to reports, the emphasis on sovereignty reflects growing concerns about data security and control within European markets, with analysts suggesting this approach positions Nation DC to capture demand from organizations requiring data residency within French borders.
Ludovic Castillo, president of Nation Data Center, elaborated on this strategy in statements to local media: “The inauguration of NDC Rennes marks a major step forward in our deployment plan. This first data center embodies our desire to propose a French response to the crucial challenges of sovereignty and digital security, while fully integrating environmental requirements.”
Facility Specifications and Investment
Located on a 4,000 sqm plot in Noyal-sur-Vilaine, Brittany, the newly launched facility offers 3MW of power capacity distributed across 3,000 sqm of technical space, with capacity for approximately 560 racks. Reports indicate the €30 million ($35m) site has launched with four initial customers, though specific client names were not disclosed in available documentation.
Local business publications, including DCMag and Bretagne Economique, have covered the launch extensively, noting the facility’s focus on security and environmental performance. The reports suggest the data center incorporates advanced cooling technologies and energy efficiency measures, though specific technical details remain proprietary.
Corporate Background and Expansion Timeline
Founded in 2020 and originally backed by French investment firm Bakjy Group, Nation DC was reportedly acquired by French investment firm Altarea in 2022, with Crédit Agricole also identified as an investor in company documentation. This financial backing appears to support an aggressive expansion strategy across multiple French regions.
The company first announced plans for the Brittany facility in March 2022 and broke ground last year, according to development timelines reviewed in industry reports. Beyond the Rennes launch, Nation DC is reportedly developing additional sites in Normandy (scheduled for 2027) and the Paris region, specifically in the Vélizy area of Yvelines outside the French capital.
Company documentation lists planned projects in numerous French cities including Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Lille, Lyon, and Strasbourg, suggesting a comprehensive national coverage strategy. The company had previously established an agreement to offer space in Thésée DataCenters’ Aubergenville facility outside Paris, indicating a multifaceted approach to market expansion.
Industry Context and Competitive Landscape
The launch comes amid increasing European focus on data sovereignty and local infrastructure development. While Nation DC expands its French footprint, other global technology developments continue to shape the industry landscape, including semiconductor manufacturing advancements and streaming service partnerships as covered in reports from industry analysts and media coverage of technology bundling strategies.
The data center market in France has seen increased investment in recent years, with companies like Nation DC positioning themselves to serve both domestic and international clients seeking European data handling solutions that comply with regional regulations and sustainability requirements.
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