Paris Region Data Center Grid Connection: a 7 GW Queue

In May 2026, at a webinar held by L'Institut Paris Region on the energy question of data centers, French transmission system operator RTE presented the status of load connection projects in the Paris region (Île-de-France) in Q1 2026. The key figure is 7 GW: the capacity of projects in the connection process, about half of the whole region's peak consumption. And 97.5% of contracted capacity is for data centers.

THE CONNECTION FUNNEL, STEP BY STEP

Source: RTE, presentation at L'Institut Paris Region webinar, May 2026, Q1 2026 data.

WHAT THE FIGURES SAY

Many projects will not make it. The funnel narrows from 114 exploratory studies to 12 signed agreements. An exploratory study, or even an accepted PTF, guarantees neither capacity nor timing. The real marker is the connection agreement: see which document actually secures a site.

Reserved capacity is not used capacity. Data centers already in operation use under 20% of their contracted capacity. This is one reason for the queue reform, and a point for investors to watch: under recent agreements, RTE can reduce the capacity of a site that durably uses less than planned.

Data centers are almost alone in the queue. At 97.5% of contracted capacity, they weigh directly on grid planning for the region, at a time when other uses (transport, industry and heating electrification) also need capacity.

RTE'S RESPONSES

Reinforcing supply to the region. RTE plans two 400 kV reinforcements upstream of the Paris region.

A shared zone south-east of Paris. A shared connection zone, approved by the CRE regulator in May 2025, is meant to anticipate data center growth and spread infrastructure costs across project sponsors.

Fast-track sites. According to RTE, 3.1 GW is already reserved by the State on four sites, two of them in the Paris region. See the fast-track sites.

"First ready, first served". RTE is changing the connection framework to prioritise the most advanced projects and avoid administrative waiting lists. The public consultation on the reform closed on 20 March 2026.

THE REGIONAL CONTEXT

According to L'Institut Paris Region's Data Center Observatory (June 2026), the region has 213 data centers on 139 sites: 159 in operation, 21 under construction, 8 planned, 19 under permitting and 14 under study. New sites are moving from the inner suburbs to the outer ring, with projects over 10 hectares and 50 to 100 MW. Essonne is rising, helped by proximity to RTE's 400 kV ring. According to Choose Paris Region, the region accounts for 70% of installed and planned data center capacity in France.

In June 2026 the Region adopted a dedicated strategy favouring projects that perform well on energy, water and waste heat, use brownfields or existing business parks, and create local value. These criteria come on top of the grid constraint; they do not replace it.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS

Under "first ready, first served", project maturity becomes an asset in itself. That is the role of our Readiness Manager, and a key point of our lender due diligence. For national figures, see our monthly report.

Sources: RTE presentation (Île-de-France public affairs) at L'Institut Paris Region webinar no. 2 "Electricity under strain: the energy question of data centers", May 2026, Q1 2026 data; Paris Region Data Center Observatory, L'Institut Paris Region, 30 June 2026; Choose Paris Region, 1 October 2026; French energy regulator (CRE). RTE figures are quoted; the presentation itself is not reproduced.

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