France to Launch Multiple Gigafactories for Batteries, Hydrogen, and AI Infrastructure by 2026
In 2026, France will see significant advancements in gigafactory projects, particularly in battery production, hydrogen, and AI infrastructure. President Emmanuel Macron announced in 2023 the establishment of five gigafactories in Hauts-de-France to produce 2 million electric vehicle batteries by 2030, with two sites operational: ACC in Douvrin began production in 2024, and AESC in Douai started in 2025.
Upcoming projects include Verkor in Dunkirk, Tiamat in Boves, and ProLogium, all aimed to ramp up production of batteries for various vehicles. In hydrogen production, John Cockerill Hydrogen acquired McPhy, ensuring the continuation of the Belfort gigafactory.
Normand'Hy, the largest low-carbon hydrogen facility in Europe, is also set to begin production in 2026. Additionally, significant investments in AI infrastructure are planned, including Microsoft's €4 billion investment in France's digital transformation and various AI factory projects.
