Spain – Campus Data in Navarra: The largest data center in the north promises 2,600 jobs
Its commissioning would be in 2029 / The project consists of four buildings that would occupy an area of 200,000 m2 and would require a total capacity of 300 MW of electrical power
Campus Data Navarra . This is the name of the data center that the VDR group has planned in Gazólaz, Cendea de Cizur . Thanks to its 300 MW of electrical power, it would be used to store and process large quantities of data , in addition to attracting technology, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence companies. The total estimated investment in this critical infrastructure for a large number of economic activities throughout its useful life is €3.3 billion, and it would create a total of 2,600 direct and indirect quality jobs during its construction and operation phases, according to industry estimates. This project represents a strategic investment that will drive economic, technological, and social development for the region, the developers emphasize in a statement sent to the media.
This digital infrastructure, considered key to the growth and sustainability of companies, will have four buildings that, in total, will occupy a surface area of 200,000 m2. It will be located in the Gazólaz industrial estate , with direct access to the A-12 ( Autovía del Camino ) and less than 1.5 kilometers from the A-15. Its location is considered strategic as it is within the axis that links Bilbao, Zaragoza and Barcelona , allowing connection to the submarine cables that reach both cities, which would improve interconnectivity with other data centers. Access to renewable energy sources and water is another factor that has been taken into account for its location
The project will be implemented in several phases between 2027 and 2029. In the first phase, and to optimize energy supply, a multi-story building with technical rooms will be built to house a data center with a total electrical capacity of 50 MW. In subsequent phases, three similar buildings with a total electrical capacity of 100 MW will be built. When fully operational in 2029, it will require an electrical capacity of 300 MW.
One of the advantages of building this data center is that the land is already developed . This would allow for the deployment of services in a shorter timeframe than other projects announced in other regions.
Access and connection to final power is also being requested from a new 220 KV position at the Orkoien substation, three kilometers from the Data Navarra Campus , pending inclusion and subsequent approval within the framework of the new 2025-2030 electrical planning.
Specifically, the saturation of major data center markets, such as Madrid and Barcelona, is causing operators to consider alternative locations in the north of the country, such as Navarre , for expansion and development of their new data centers. While regions like Madrid only generate 3% of their total energy consumption, Navarre has a surplus of generated power versus consumed power (142%).
The climate of the Pamplona region helps moderate total energy and cooling costs, while also ensuring infrastructure protection, achieving a sustainable operating model.
Planning approval for this project is expected to arrive approximately between late 2025 and early 2026 , and from that point on, the procedures for drafting the execution projects, environmental impact studies, bidding, and execution will begin.
Fundamental to European sovereignty
The European Union considers data centers to be critical infrastructure for European sovereignty and ensuring economic development. Its data indicates that 75% of European companies should use cutting-edge cloud technologies for their activities. Therefore, the European Commission has set as one of its objectives to at least triple the capacity of EU data centers in the next five to seven years and fully meet the needs of EU businesses and public administrations by 2035. And not only that. Within the European Union’s digital strategy, cloud and edge computing will be one of the digital technologies that will contribute to the sustainability goals of the European Green Deal by supporting innovative digital solutions, explains VDR.
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Spain – Campus Data in Navarra: The largest data center in the north promises 2,600 jobs, source
