Valence, France — October 6, 2026. Sesterce’s Rovaltain project in Alixan is becoming a Sesterce Campus, built around six commitments covering architecture, energy, water, jobs, community spaces and local investment. Sesterce is reaffirming a strict 40 MW limit for the supercomputer and proposing a dialogue committee with local authorities and associations.
A revised project, with a confirmed 40 MW limit
The campus, designed by Patriarche, will be revised to incorporate the six Sesterce Campus principles. This work will address energy, water, noise, architectural and landscape integration, biodiversity, mobility and backup generators.
The original 40 MW power limit remains a firm commitment. Sesterce’s stated aim is to maintain compliance with the applicable environmental thresholds, including those relating to backup generators.
Implementation of the building permit already obtained is suspended while these commitments are integrated into the project.
Six commitments for every Sesterce Campus
The same six principles apply across all Sesterce Campuses. Each commitment will be measured, independently audited and reported publicly every year.
1. Architecture that belongs in its community
Campuses will be designed by award-winning architects, with the ambition of creating buildings that local communities can be proud of.
2. New renewable energy capacity
For every 1 MW consumed, Sesterce commits to adding 1 MW of new renewable capacity to the French grid within ten years of opening. Only additional generation capacity counts toward this commitment; renewable energy certificates alone do not.
3. Cooling without drinking water during operations
No drinking water will be introduced into the cooling circuit during operations. Liquid cooling will run in a closed loop, with top-ups supplied from on-site rainwater and recycled-water tanks.
4. Lasting jobs and local construction work
Sesterce commits to creating at least one permanent job, directly or indirectly, for every 2 MW consumed, alongside three local construction jobs per MW during the construction phase.
5. Spaces open to residents
Campuses will include spaces for training, education and dining that are accessible to local residents. The building housing the supercomputers will remain secure.
6. A €10 million fund for the local area
A €10 million fund will be paid at commissioning to support projects chosen by residents. It will be available to the wider territory, with particular attention to the central city, to maximise local impact.
Building the project with the people who live here
“Rovaltain will be a Sesterce Campus. We want to build this project with the people who live here, including those who oppose it today. Each principle will be measured, audited and published, and residents will have a say on each of them.”
Youssef El Manssouri, Co-founder and CEO of Sesterce
Sesterce is proposing a local dialogue committee in the coming weeks, bringing together the company, local authorities and interested local associations. The committee is intended to continue throughout the studies and construction phases.
It will give participants a way to follow the project’s progress, monitor Sesterce’s commitments and discuss its environmental assessment. Sesterce will share information on studies and construction as the project develops.
A proposed dialogue charter will be submitted to Valence Romans Agglo to define how the committee operates and how information is made available.
About Sesterce
Sesterce is a French company specialising in computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence. It designs, builds and operates supercomputer campuses, with a presence in France, the United States and Singapore.