Connecting France’s Data Centers to the Grid

1 minute read | August.28.2026

Orrick partners Geoffroy Berthon and Constance Boillot and associate Charlotte Berrat authored an article in Data Center Dynamics examining the legal and regulatory landscape governing grid connection of data centers in France.

Topics Covered

Given their power requirements, data centers located in France must generally connect to the public electricity transmission system operated by RTE.
In areas where transmission capacity is saturated, securing and maintaining a position in RTE's connection queue is a key prerequisite for a project to proceed.
Geoffroy, Constance and Charlotte offer a practical legal perspective on several critical issues, including the designation of certain data centers as "projects of major national interest" under France's recently enacted law on the simplification of economic life:

Standard and fast-track connection procedures
Evolving queuing rules (including the anticipated shift from "first-come, first-served" to "first-ready, first-served")
Conditions for queue entry and maintenance
Restrictions on PTF assignment introduced in June 2024
The "use it or lose it" mechanism

Read the full article on Data Center Dynamics

Related Lawyers

Geoffroy Berthon Partner, Energy & Infrastructure, Infrastructure

Paris

See my bio

D:+33 1 5353 7515
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Energy & Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Public Finance

vCard

See full bio

Geoffroy Berthon Partner

Paris

Geoffroy advises on public contracts, particularly in the context of concessions and PPPs. He has been involved in projects relating to the financing, construction and operation of the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille; the Sud Europe Atlantique high-speed line; the Athletes' Village for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; the Grand Paris Express and the offshore extension of the Principality of Monaco. He has also worked on several French highway (A412, A69, RCEA, A88, A41, A150), port (Calais, Cannes) and airport projects (Nice, Lyon, Beauvais).

In the renewables field, he acts alongside the French government (Ministry of Energy Transition) in calls for tenders for the construction of offshore wind farms, including floating wind turbines, and advises operators in the realization of biomass and geothermal projects, as well as investors in the context of "M&A" operations concerning wind and solar assets and methanization. He also has experience in hydroelectricity matters. He advises both sponsors and lenders and works regularly with public entities and governments. He also advises on the drafting and negotiation of corporate PPAs, acting for both energy producers and buyers.

Geoffroy Berthon is recognized by clients as "talented, dynamic and brilliant lawyer. He is a hard worker. His calm manner and attentiveness reassure as a client" (Legal 500) and as a Leading Partner by Legal 500 (EMEA 2025) in public law and energy.

Geoffroy holds a doctorate in public law, was a lecturer in public contract law at Sciences Po, and frequently published in both English and French.

Constance Boillot Partner, Energy & Infrastructure, Renewable Energy

Paris

See my bio

D:+33 1 5353 7500
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Energy & Infrastructure
Renewable Energy
Infrastructure

vCard

See full bio

Constance Boillot Partner

Paris

Her practice covers the development of projects, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors, notably within the framework of public contracts such as concessions and PPP contracts, as well as the regulatory aspects of regulated activities. She also handles litigation in these sectors.

She advises both sponsors and lenders, and also works with public entities.

Constance started her career at Orrick in 2013, before joining the project finance legal desk of Bouygues Construction at the end of 2018 for two years. She rejoined Orrick in 2021.

Charlotte Berrat Associate, Energy & Infrastructure, Renewable Energy

Paris

See my bio

D:+33 1 5353 8132
E: [email protected]

Practice:

Energy & Infrastructure
Renewable Energy
Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Public Finance

vCard

See full bio

Charlotte Berrat Associate

Paris

Charlotte Berrat is involved in public contracts, in particular concession contracts and public-private partnerships for major projects (airport, port, motorway, building, telecommunications). She assists consortiums in the award of these contracts, from the bidding phase to the post-award phase.

She advised the winning consortium for the concession contract to operate Beauvais-Tillé airport (near Paris), as well as a bidding consortium for the public service contract for the lines 16 and 17 of the Grand Paris Express (the new metro linking the main residential and business districts of the suburbs without passing through Paris).

Charlotte Berrat also has experience in the energy sector and in environmental law. She regularly advises operators on complex issues relating to connection to electricity distribution and transmission networks. She has also participated in drafting and negotiation several corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs), representing both producers and buyers depending on the transaction.

Charlotte Berrat also advises operators, sponsors and lenders on project development and M&A transactions for wind and solar assets, both in France and internationally.

Her practice also covers all regulatory aspects related to regulated sectors such as telecommunications, transport and energy.

Charlotte Berrat also handles litigation in these sectors.

Prior to joining Orrick, Charlotte gained significant experience in the public and energy law teams of several international law firms and a public transport operator.

Related Areas

Markets

France