Spain is consolidating itself as a leading destination for data center installations, driven by its abundant renewable energy, connectivity, and strategic location.

Manuel Giménez, CEO of Spain DC, explains that the country is a leader in resources like solar and wind, essential to ensuring that these centers operate with 100% clean energy.

Additionally, he highlights that Spain’s geographical location between Europe, America, and Africa, combined with a robust network of marine and terrestrial connectivity, strengthens its appeal in the tech sector.

Currently, the installed capacity in data centers reaches between 180 and 200 MW IT, according to data from the organization.

However, the path to growth faces significant regulatory and infrastructure challenges.

One of the biggest obstacles is access to the electrical transmission grid, a topic Giménez directly links to the recent Modificación de Aspectos Puntuales (MAP) of the Electrical Energy Transport Plan, which excluded numerous access requests.

This situation jeopardizes the sector’s progress, especially in Madrid, which accounts for 60% of the national capacity.

According to Spain DC, Madrid could reach 616 MW in 2026 under moderate scenarios, but it could exceed 1,000 MW if regulatory and infrastructure conditions are favorable.

In a conversation with Energía Estratégica España, the executive highlights a significant captive demand, but describes some figures circulating in the sector as “exaggerated.”

“We talk about our own data, based on reliable reports. In our analysis, we differentiate scenarios that consider factors like regulation, infrastructure construction, and energy access,” explains the CEO.

In this context, he stresses the importance of updating the Electrical Energy Transport Plan to align with the country’s real needs and prevent Spain from losing the opportunity to lead global digitalization.

Another key point highlighted by Giménez is the risk of speculation in the data center sector.

While he acknowledges that most operators represent genuine demand driven by the growing digitalization of businesses, public administrations, and citizens, he also warns about the emergence of intermediaries and speculative promoters.

According to the executive, these actors take advantage of regulatory bottlenecks and the opacity of the public sector to make profits without adding real value.

“Against these actors, regulation must be dynamic and agile, resolving the obstacles that facilitate their appearance and ensuring that Spain does not miss the digitalization train,” says Giménez.

The sector’s link to renewable energy is another strength driving its development. Giménez affirms that data centers in Spain are “sustainability natives,” and all the energy they consume comes from renewable sources, primarily solar and wind.

He also emphasizes their potential to contribute to the welfare of communities through the use of residual heat generated, which can be used in heating systems or hot water for hospitals, train stations, and other public infrastructures.

Looking to the future, the Spain DC leader emphasizes that Spain must take measures to consolidate its leadership in digitalization.

He also argues that while data centers represent less than 0.2% of the country’s electricity consumption, their impact on the economy and society is crucial.

To maximize this potential, he insists on the need to adapt energy planning and streamline administrative processes, ensuring that operators can grow in line with market demand.

In the words of the CEO of Spain DC, what’s at stake is “nothing less than the future of this country: leading global digitalization or trailing behind, as we have unfortunately done many times throughout our history.”

This challenge requires a strategic vision that allows Spain to capitalize on its location, resources, and innovative capacity to become a global leader in data centers and sustainable digitalization.