Became the metropolitan area of Zaragoza A magnet for data centers. The Aragonese capital will focus on the presence of digital havens following Microsoft’s recent announcement that it will implement three interconnected warehouses. Recycling Technology Park (PTR) in La Muela and La Puebla de Alfindén. As predicted, the Microsoft cloud will join the Microsoft cloud in 2026. Amazon Web Services (AWS)data centers El Burgo de Ebro, Villanueva de Gállego and Huesca Logistics Platform They connected to the network and introduced Aragon to the elite club of cloud-connected lands.
Microsoft’s commitment to placing its massive projects in this region It enables the community to become the epicenter in Spain of a rapidly developing industry in Europe. However, the biggest share of the investment pie of two of the three largest global operators in the cloud business, called hyperscalar in computer jargon, was left to Zaragoza with its spider web. Position in the environment Zaragoza This is due to the energetic forces that are one of the decisive keys, as well as due to the enormous capacity. renewable generation and the quality of transport and electricity supply infrastructure. But this is not the only reason why multinational companies are in such a downward spiral.
one of the keys low price of industrial land and excellent connections When it comes to telecommunications. Some of the main fiber optic highways crossing the country pass around the Aragonese capital, facilitating the connection of warehouses to the communities where most of the national GDP is concentrated.
The truth is that the announcement Microsoft raised significant expectations in the technology sector and in the neighborhoods where these facilities will be located, although Microsoft has not confirmed their location, this newspaper was able to learn that land has already been purchased in the PTR industrial zone near the Zaragoza rural neighborhood of La Cartuja. La Muela and La Puebla de Alfindén. In the latter case, mayors cautiously welcome the call from this newspaper; They assure that “no one” gave them approval for the founding of the multinational technology company founded by Bill Gates, but they do not deny that they did so. discussions with both the Government of Aragon and Microsoft.
Caution among mayors
“If it is true that they are coming, it will be a complete and utter shock. especially to attract companies and ensure that young people can receive training in a sector Things like computing and staying here are on the rise,” says the mayor of La Puebla de Alfindén. Pilar Villanueva (PP). La Muela (CHA) councilor Adrián Tello agrees with this statement and expresses the municipality’s “expectation” regarding the news, although there is no official confirmation.
Also, the feelings are very positive. The technology sector welcomed Aragon’s arrival with open arms We would like to thank another giant like Microsoft for the contribution it can make to the growth of this activity and, above all, for offering the community the opportunity to specialize in the digital economy.
Proximity to a world-class fiber optic highway is key to the location as well as the enormous capacity for green energy production through renewable energy sources.
But experts and representatives consulted are also pragmatic in assessing the positive effects of a data center implementation. “Wow, this is nothing to shout about, and the importance of these investments cannot be ignored.“, pointing to consolidated resources in the industry.
“A really interesting and relevant ad. Large multinational companies deciding to invest in the community means putting us on the European digital map“said Félix Gil, president of Aragon’s (Tecnara) cluster of ICT, electronics and telecommunications companies. In his view, what is important is the potential they offer, rather than the direct benefits that these applications can provide.”We must try to benefit from this both as a society and as an Administration. Creating a culture of digitalization and encouraging entrepreneurship and education regarding cloud technology.
He also believes that fruit “is not a one-day affair”but will be charged in the long run. For this purpose, he advocates taking measures and policies to make the most of this in both the private and public sectors. “Beyond the success achieved in attracting these large operators, management must take further action to capitalize on all the value that can be generated,” he maintains. In this sense, it is determined to invest more in schools and in educating children and young people about education. digital and STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). “If we teach them programming and technology from a young age, they will see possibilities that we don’t see right now,” he notes.
gil, also general manager (CEO) of technology consulting firm Integra, Microsoft and AWS distribution “It’s not just about creating technological talent, it’s about saving it.” The truth is that Aragon is now an “exporter rather than an importer” of qualified human resources. “These practices can be an incentive for graduates who leave the university to stay,” he notes. The difficulty in recruiting personnel is actually the main problem of the sector. ICT of the community, which currently has around 2,000 job vacancies.
Aragonese innovation cluster IDiA also applauds Microsoft’s announcement but sees the impact of data centers as limited “unless we go further.” Whether the project will increase its benefits on the region or not depends on these infrastructures. “An industry of service and product (software) development will be created,” says the organization’s president, Antonio Novo.
We have to wait accordingly. Knows the details of the concept of “campus” Data centers recommended by Microsoft. In each case, IDiA offers “full cooperation” with the local business environment to form alliances that benefit the tech giant.
The lack of transparency from these major operators does not help clarify the socioeconomic impact of data centers. As with AWS, Microsoft has not yet detailed the direct employment it will create at its facilities or the specific amount of investment. Paradoxically, the kings of data storage are reluctant to give detailed information about their plans. Company founded by Bill Gates It suffices to state that the project “could contribute” to the creation of more than 2,100 jobs specializing in technology between 2026 and 2030; This number probably includes indirect and induced work.
The fact is that the direct workforce of such centers is usually between 50 and 75 employees, so the Microsoft cloud workforce in Aragon will be between 150 and 225 in total.