Calatorao, a town near Zaragoza, is becoming the focal point for a large hyperscale data center campus. A plan reported a few months ago has been officially confirmed by the Government of Aragón and the promoter Blackstone. The investment is set at 7.5 billion euros for the initial phase, with the possibility of reaching 15 billion in a second stage. This would be the third major data center project of its kind in Aragón, yet the design and specifics distinguish it from the AWS and Microsoft developments already underway in the region.
Why Calatorao?
Calatorao stands out for its strategic position in communications, connectivity, and energy supply. There has long been interest in this site from the data industry, driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence and the demand for shared infrastructure. Two global players, AWS and Microsoft, are already pursuing facilities in Aragón, with AWS operating three warehouses in the area.
Blackstone brings a clear edge thanks to its sizable land portfolio in the town through the Aliseda vehicle, which holds the nonperforming assets of the former Banco Popular. Blackstone controls 51 percent of Aliseda, with Santander owning the remaining 49 percent.
Whose lands were they?
Aliseda, through its subsidiary Calanza Inmuebles SL, gradually purchased parcels from other owners until it held all the land slated for the future urbanization. The site covers roughly 224 hectares (about 2,236,305 square meters) with 3.5 kilometers of frontage along the A-2 highway toward Zaragoza.
The latest acquisition was agreed last May with the Calatorao town hall, which sold five plots totaling 16.1 hectares for 2,003,000 euros, a transaction approved unanimously in a special council session.
In short, Blackstone now owns all the land, avoiding expropriation or ongoing purchase processes that mark other expansion plans in Aragón led by AWS and Microsoft.
What advantages do these sites offer?
The land is already cleared for development and appears in the cadastre. It carries a 2010 partial plan and a parceling project. The plots are zoned for industrial, logistics, and service uses, though the park needs redesigning to fit the data center complex’s needs.
Environmental planning has progressed as well. A portion of the area has already undergone environmental review. The partial plan was subject to strategic environmental assessment and received approval from the Aragonese Environment Agency. Inaga, the environmental authority, initially concluded that a full environmental impact assessment would not be required due to the limited scope of impacts. Nevertheless, Inaga will evaluate all soils and determine any necessary conditioning and corrective measures.
When will construction begin?
The project brief submitted to the regional authorities does not specify exact dates. People close to the company indicate 2026 as the target year to commence, with the goal of having the first facilities in operation by 2027. The development will roll out in stages, starting with the launch of the data center buildings and their associated infrastructure.
Urbanization is planned to begin 12 months after permits are granted, in line with the agreement reached with the town council on the land purchases. Blackstone is expected to complete the urbanization within three years and six months from the city’s approval of the urbanization project.
The complete first phase could take up to ten years. Earlier studies included geotechnical work on the site, and the promoter has selected the engineering firm that will support the construction and define the technical aspects of the project.
How will energy be supplied?
On the energy front, the plan enjoys a favorable position compared with similar projects in the region. The promoter has secured access and a connection to the electrical capacity needed for the first phase. Specifically, 300 megawatts are allocated at two points of a nearby substation to be built in the area. To support future phases, the capacity of this hub would need to be expanded.
Redeia will carry out the energy infrastructure and has obtained environmental authorization for its construction, with a budget of about 8 million euros. The works are anticipated to last a year and were expected to start in April, though local sources expect the schedule to shift earlier.
In short, Blackstone will have a robust power connection in place before any earthworks begin on the site that will house the data center complex.
As is common in the data center sector, sustainability is a priority. The operation will emphasize energy efficiency and power from renewable sources. Solar photovoltaic plants are planned on lands adjacent to the campus to support ongoing operations.
Who are the promoters?
Blackstone is a global asset manager focused on investments in the United States and Europe, with a strong footprint in real estate. The firm manages approximately 1.1 trillion dollars in assets and has more than 50 billion in the data center portfolio across its global network.
With dozens of offices and thousands of employees, Blackstone operates through multiple portfolio companies. It is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and maintains a substantial market presence. The project will be developed through QTS, a leading provider of data center solutions with a broad client base in North America and Europe, supported by a software-defined technology platform that ensures secure, compatible infrastructure and reliable connectivity.
QTS oversees a portfolio of more than 1,100 clients and about 60 data centers either in operation or under construction across two continents, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for hyperscale demand and public sector workloads alike.