The problem. Data center developers look for land close to the power grid and approach owners directly. They arrive with a draft option prepared by their lawyers, a price proposal and often a request for a quick answer. The owner rarely knows what the land is worth for this kind of project, or what signing commits them to.
WHAT MAKES LAND VALUABLE FOR A DATA CENTER
The connection document: land with no process, land with an accepted PTF and land with a signed connection agreement are not worth the same
Zoning and risks: planning rules, flood or landslide risk areas, easements
Access and utilities: roads, water, fibre, and the cost of works to reach them
Size and shape: a single contiguous plot, room for extension
There is no published reference price for data center land in France: value depends first on the possible grid connection and can vary widely from site to site.
SELL, LEASE OR SIGN AN OPTION?
A sale transfers ownership, often after an option with conditions. A long-term lease keeps the land in the owner's estate, with rent and the return of the land at the end. An option reserves the land for the developer while it secures its connection and permits: it is the most common step, and the most delicate, as it can tie up the land for several years.
CLAUSES TO WATCH
Conditions precedent: building permit, grid connection, financing. The more there are, the easier it is for the developer to walk away
The immobilisation fee: what the owner receives while the land is reserved, and whether it is kept if the project is abandoned
The right to assign the option to another company without your consent
Site restoration and decommissioning if the project stops after works begin
What happens to easements and electrical assets built on the land
These points are negotiated with a notary or lawyer, who drafts and commits. Our role comes before and alongside: what the land is worth in grid terms, and what the developer can realistically obtain.
IF THE PROJECT STOPS
Many announced projects never reach the end: in the Paris region, RTE counted 114 exploratory studies for 12 signed connection agreements in Q1 2026. An owner should therefore ask what they get back if the project is abandoned: their land, free, by when, and with what compensation.
WHAT WE DO
We assess your land's data center potential: nearest substation, published capacity, planning and risk constraints, scenarios depending on the connection document. We review the draft option from a technical standpoint and tell you which questions to ask the developer. See our support for landowners and our assignment examples.
Who is involved. A land and planning expert from our network, and a high-voltage engineer for the grid reading. We take no commission on the sale or lease: we are paid by you only. Our commitment is a best-efforts obligation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is land worth for a data center in France?
There is no published reference price. Value depends first on available grid power and the existing connection document, then on zoning, risks and access. It is assessed site by site.
Should I sell or lease my land to a data center?
It depends on your estate goals. A sale brings capital, a long-term lease brings income and the return of the land. Either way, the option that comes first is the step to negotiate most carefully.