Every week, what moved for data center projects in France, and what it changes for a developer, investor, landowner or local authority. Sourced facts only.

1. ÉTRECHET: THE CONSULTATION IS OPEN

The public consultation on Google's campus near Châteauroux opened on 2 November, overseen by the CNDP, until 10 January 2027. Opening meeting on 9 November in Châteauroux, workshop on agriculture and the grid connection on 16 November in Diors. Phase 1 plans 120 MW at 225 kV; growth to 1,200 MW depends on a new RTE line between Éguzon and Marmagne, under consultation until 22 November, commissioning in 2032 at the earliest.

What it changes: a campus's final size can depend on a grid asset with its own timeline. See our Étrechet analysis.

2. GRID CONNECTION: THE PTF FEE COULD RISE TO €100,000

RTE's proposed reform, consulted on from 24 September to 15 October, would raise the technical and financial proposal (PTF) fee from €42,000 to €100,000 excl. VAT, with stricter entry conditions (land control, checkpoints). It still needs approval by the CRE, the energy regulator.

What it changes: filing a request "to see" will cost more. A complete, consistent file gains value. See preparing a PTF request.

3. WASTE HEAT: THE 0.20 ERF THRESHOLD APPLIES

Since 1 January 2026, a data center of 1 MW or more is deemed to reuse its waste heat if its ERF is at least 0.20, unless exempted on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis. Sites of 500 kW or more report their indicators every year before 15 May.

What it changes: the PUE, WUE and ERF trade-off is made at concept stage. See PUE, WUE, ERF reporting in France.

4. MORATORIUM: A CONTINUING DEBATE

After the National Assembly inquiry report in July, a resolution led by MP François Ruffin has called since October for a five-year moratorium on data centers financed by non-European players. These texts are not binding.

What it changes: local acceptance and the origin of capital enter a project's risk analysis. See data centers and political risk in France.

5. 1-20 MW BROWNFIELDS: A MARKET OF ITS OWN

Le Guide : Data Center published on 2 November an analysis of 1-20 MW industrial brownfields, with the Marseille examples MRS3 and MRS5. The key point: an idle site's megawatts are not guaranteed.

What it changes: for an owner or buyer, capacity confirmed in writing sets the price. See brownfield data centers.

AGENDA

November 2026 9 November: opening meeting of the Étrechet consultation, Châteauroux
16 November: agriculture and grid connection workshop, Diors
18-19 November: Data Centre World, Paris
22 November: end of the consultation on the Éguzon-Marmagne line

Sources: Selectra, 21 October 2026 (Étrechet consultation); Atlante, 26 October 2026 (RTE reform); decree no. 2025-1382 of 29 December 2025; French National Assembly; Le Guide : Data Center, 2 November 2026 (all in French). Details and links in each of our analyses.

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Every week, on our blog and on the GridReadiness LinkedIn page.