Technology: EU's AI Data Center Plans Stumble Due to Delays, Funding Issues

The European Union's €20 billion ($23.3 billion) investment plan for five massive artificial intelligence data centers is floundering, with delays and funding issues alienating some potential partners, according to people familiar with the matter.

3. Juni 2026 um 14:00 Uhr / Christina Kyriasoglou, Gian Volpicelli und Clara Hernanz Lizarraga, Bloomberg

Henna Virkkunen (C), Nadia Calvino (L), and Merete Clausen (R), pose for a photo after signing the Memorandum of Understanding on AI Gigafactories in Brussels, Belgium on December 04, 2025. Bild: Anadolu via Reuters Connect

The EU announced plans to back so-called gigafactories last year to accelerate investment in AI infrastructure from private companies, but a lack of clarity about demand and when the subsidies will be available is threatening to undermine the initiative, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks are private.

The bidding process was due to start in May and is now expected to begin in July, according to Polish digital minister Dariusz Standerski, who is participating in EU talks on the data centers. The projects will be financed in two phases, with funds earmarked in 2028 and 2030, he said in an interview.