Structural Growth of Data Centers in Spain

Spain currently leads data center development in Southern Europe. Madrid has consolidated itself as the main hub, with expansion into Aragón, Cataluña, Castilla-La Mancha and other regions with energy and industrial availability.

The attractiveness of the country responds to a clear combination of factors:

• International connectivity through submarine cables

• Growing renewable generation capacity

• Availability of industrial land

• Geostrategic position between Europe, Africa and the Americas

• An industrial ecosystem capable of executing complex projects

Economic Impact of Data Centers in Spain

The Spain DC study provides a clear conclusion: data centers are not merely technological infrastructure. They are a transversal economic driver.

Cumulative Investment Through 2030

More than €21 billion in expected investment in infrastructure development and expansion.

This investment includes:

• Construction of large-scale data center campuses and complexes

• Electrical and mechanical equipment

• Associated energy infrastructure

• Cooling and efficiency systems

Impact on GDP

The estimated economic impact exceeds €58 billion during the analysis period.

Job Creation

The report projects up to 62,916 total jobs, distributed as:

• 25,217 direct jobs (operations, maintenance, technical management, IT)

• 23,373 indirect jobs (engineering, construction, energy, industrial suppliers)

• 14,326 induced jobs (economic spillover activity)

The impact is not limited to the construction phase. Operation and maintenance generate sustained long-term activity.

This activates an entire industrial value chain involving:

• EPC companies

• Multidisciplinary engineering firms

• Equipment manufacturers

• Energy operators

• Operations and maintenance companies

Energy, Renewables and Electricity Consumption: The Structural Challenge for Data Centers in Spain

The development of the Spain data center market is closely linked to the national electricity system.

The study highlights that installed data center capacity will multiply in the coming years, implying progressive growth in electricity demand through 2030.

This raises three key challenges:

• Reinforcement of electrical networks

• Coordination with national energy planning

• Efficient integration with renewable generation

Spain’s Competitive Advantage

Spain starts from a differentiated position:

• One of the highest shares of renewable generation in Europe

• Leadership in installed solar and wind capacity

• Ability to sign long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

• Regions with grid evacuation capacity

In a European context where digital sovereignty must align with decarbonization, the combination of digital infrastructure and competitive renewable energy is the defining strategic factor.

Spain in the European Debate on Digital Sovereignty

On January 14, Spain DC participated in a high-level session at the European Parliament titled:

“Powering Europe’s digital future: towards sustainable data centers.”

The meeting emphasized that European digital sovereignty depends on:

• The capacity to host domestic infrastructure

• Clean and competitive energy

• Robust electrical networks

• Industrial competitiveness

In this context, Spain’s potential to lead the development of sustainable data centers in Europe was highlighted.

Spain DC’s participation in this forum reinforces the country’s positioning as a strategic actor within the European digital map.

Opportunities in Spain’s Digital Infrastructure Sector

The structural growth of data centers in Spain generates clear opportunities.

For Companies

• Development of large-scale EPC projects

• Energy integration and PPA structuring

• Design of advanced cooling and efficiency solutions

• Execution of multidisciplinary critical infrastructure

For Professionals

The sector requires real technical capability and industrial experience.

• Electrical, mechanical and civil engineering specialized in critical infrastructure

• Management and planning of complex industrial projects

• Operation and maintenance of high-availability facilities

• Integration between energy, industrial and digital profiles

Spain is not merely an emerging data center market. It is consolidating a strategic European positioning based on:

• Structural investment

• Transversal economic impact

• Renewable capacity

• Skilled job creation

• Institutional recognition

The development of digital infrastructure in Spain is not a temporary trend. It is an ongoing industrial transformation.

Engineering Talent for Competitive Digital Infrastructure

The structural growth of the Spanish data center market is generating sustained demand for engineers experienced in complex and multidisciplinary industrial projects. Energy integration, construction of critical infrastructure and operation of high-availability facilities require technical profiles capable of working at large scale and under demanding international standards.

At Spanish Engineers, we support international companies active in data centers and other industrial infrastructures across Europe and globally. We connect these organizations with highly experienced engineering talent in electrical, mechanical, planning, construction and operations disciplines, contributing to the alignment of digital infrastructure development with energy efficiency, sustainability and long-term competitiveness objectives.

If your company is developing critical infrastructure projects in Spain or evaluating new deployments, we can help structure and strengthen your technical team with specialized talent in mission-critical infrastructure and complex industrial projects.