Nostrum Group's digital infrastructure division has launched an ambitious plan to deploy six large data centers in SpainThese facilities, designed to meet the sharp increase in demand associated with artificial intelligence and high-density workloads, are planned to become operational throughout 2027 and mark a new era for the sector. digital infrastructure on the peninsula.
The project, channeled through Nostrum Data Centers, includes sites in Badajoz, Cáceres, Guadalajara, Pinto (Madrid), Zamudio (Basque Country) and GaliciaTaken together, these assets will have secured energy and land and are designed to offer 500 MW of secure and sustainable IT capacity, with the possibility of incorporating 300 additional MW in future expansions, so that the combined power could reach 800 MW.
Six strategic locations and up to 800 MW of power
According to information provided by the company and the consulting firm JLL, which acts as an advisor, all developments already have guaranteed electrical capacity reserves and landThis is a key aspect in a context of intense competition for network access. The roadmap calls for the six facilities to be operational in stages throughout 2027, facilitating a quick time to market for potential clients.
Projects Extremadura, located in Badajoz and CáceresThese are among the largest projects within the plan, with forecasts of around 214 MW capacity eachThis positions them as fundamental pillars of the Nostrum Data Centers platform in Spain. In addition, there is the planned data center in the province of Guadalajara, with approximately 29 MW initial power, which reinforces the central peninsular axis.
The other locations, in Pinto (Madrid), Zamudio (Basque Country) and GaliciaThese locations complete a map that combines proximity to large population centers, availability of energy infrastructure, and access to major land and submarine connectivity routes. This geographic distribution allows Nostrum to deploy a network capable of offer low latency and scalability to different types of clients, from cloud providers to large corporations and technology companies focused on AI.
Taken together, the six assets are designed to form a coordinated platform, with 500 MW of initial IT capacity assured and another 300 MW reserved as a growth margin. This phased approach seeks to adapt to the projected rate of demand, avoiding over-sizing from the outset and allowing capacity to be increased as the adoption of new data-intensive technologies, such as generative AI, progresses.
Response to the rise of artificial intelligence and high density
Nostrum Data Centers' initiative is part of a context in which the Artificial intelligence is redefining infrastructure needsAI models require data centers prepared for high-density workloads, high power availability, and advanced cooling and efficiency solutions, elements that this project aims to prioritize from the design stage.
The company states that these six developments are precisely aimed at to respond to that new wave of demandCombining scalability, operational security, and a strong focus on sustainability, these assets are designed to support large computing clusters with very demanding requirements in terms of power per rack, redundancy, and facility resilience.
According to data handled by JLL, the consulting firm that advises Nostrum, the global data center market is experiencing a unprecedented expansionEstimates suggest that global capacity could increase from 103 GW to 200 GW by 2030, practically double in just a few years, driven in large part by the push of AI and advanced digital services.
JLL itself predicts that, by 2030, approximately the half of the installed capacity of data centers is dedicated to workloads related to artificial intelligence. In this scenario, projects like Nostrum Data Centers in Spain are positioned as another piece within a large-scale investment cycle, where the availability of locations with competitive energy and robust connectivity will make a difference.
The takeoff of this market depends not only on the demand for computing, but also on the operators' ability to integrate environmental criteria into design and operation of the assets. Nostrum emphasizes that its vision involves balancing technological innovation and sustainability, focusing on infrastructure that minimizes water consumption and optimizes the use of energy resources.
A supercycle of investment in digital infrastructure
The figures handled by the sector point to a genuine infrastructure investment supercycle over the next few years. JLL's analysis estimates that the development and expansion of data centers on a global scale may require around $3.000 trillion in the next five years, adding the construction of new assets and the associated financing.
Within this volume, around 1.200 billion dollars They would focus on generating value in real estate assets linked to data centers, while around 870.000 million These figures would correspond to new debt financing to boost these projects. These numbers reflect the growing importance of digital infrastructure within the overall global real estate and financial market.
One of the key points highlighted by analysts is that, despite this accelerated growth, the The fundamentals of the sector continue to be considered solid.Occupancy, profitability, and space absorption metrics do not currently point to a bubble, but rather to a structural demand associated with the advancement of cloud computing, AI, edge computing, and the digitization of the economy.
Spain, with projects like Nostrum Data Centers, is putting itself on the radar of major international investors specializing in data centers. The combination of relatively competitive energy costsThe availability of land in certain areas and the strengthening of submarine interconnections with other continents are increasing the country's attractiveness compared to other more mature European markets.
This investment context also implies greater regulatory and technical demands, which will require coordination between administrations, network operators, municipalities, and industry to expedite permits and facilitate the execution of projects that, like those of Nostrum, manage adjusted deadlines to be in service by 2027.
Spain as a future major hub for connectivity and AI in Europe
The consulting firm JLL emphasizes that Spain occupies a particularly competitive position. within the European data center map. Among the factors it cites are access to a diversified energy infrastructure, the proximity to points of presence (PoPs) and internet exchanges, as well as the growing network of submarine cables that connect the peninsula with America, Africa and other points in Europe.
In addition to these factors, the Spanish market continues to be one of those that offers more competitive costs compared to other major hubs European hubs, such as Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Paris. This opens the door for operators and customers to explore new options in Spain for deploying capacity, reducing costs without sacrificing top-tier connectivity.
Nostrum Data Centers insists that the group's ambition involves consolidate a benchmark platform in data centers With a Spanish touch, the company is capable of attracting global projects while simultaneously supporting the digital growth of local and regional businesses. The company focuses on offering rapid implementation and scalability across its various locations.
In the words of its management, the priority is to lead a kind of "green revolution" in digital infrastructureThis approach aims to ensure that the deployment of new data centers is carried out with sustainability and responsibility in mind. It also seeks to enhance Spain's image as a future connectivity hub for Europe and other regions.
To achieve this, Nostrum combines the development of large data campuses with the search for energy efficiency solutions, from the design of technical rooms to cooling systems, trying to reduce the environmental footprint without compromising the availability or performance of the equipment that will host AI workloads and critical services.
Technical requirements, regulations and proximity to urban centers
Gabriel Nebreda, CEO of Nostrum Group, has emphasized that Spain has all the technical requirements to become an artificial intelligence hubprovided that the appropriate regulatory and administrative conditions are met. Among the key factors mentioned are the need for clear and stable regulations with reasonable processing times.
The executive has indicated that AI-oriented data centers should be located near major urban centersThis proximity is essential to ensure low latency and facilitate access to transport infrastructure and a skilled workforce. However, it must be compatible with the availability of large electrical capacities and land suitable for high-intensity developments.
Nebreda also emphasizes that these projects must be scalable and adaptableso that they can incorporate new capacity in successive modules or phases, without interrupting the operation already deployed. In the specific case of Nostrum Data Centers, the additional 300 MW planned as an expansion reserve illustrates this progressive approach.
Another central axis is the obsession with energy efficiency and water conservationThese aspects have become essential for the social and regulatory acceptance of large digital infrastructures. Advanced cooling systems, waste heat reuse, the use of renewable energy, and agreements with green suppliers are some of the tools operators use to reduce their environmental impact.
The design of these assets must also be sensitive to the specific needs of AIThis implies anticipating high power densities per rack, greater thermal loads, and the possibility of incorporating emerging cooling and accelerated computing technologies. This level of specialization influences both building architecture and electrical and mechanical solutions.
Nostrum Data Centers' plan to deploy six data centers in Spain reflects how the country is positioning itself in the new league of European digital infrastructure, relying on its competitive advantage in energy, connectivity and costsIf the planned deadlines are met and accompanied by agile regulation, this initial 500 MW, expandable to 800 MW, can become one of the pillars on which the rise of artificial intelligence and advanced digital services is based, both within and beyond our borders.
