Microsoft will implement a new data center in Villamayor with an investment of 2.2 billion

The expansion of data centres continues in Aragon. The President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, has announced the implementation of a new data centre of the technological giant Microsoft in Villamayor de Gállego , which joins the other two already announced in the PTR and in La Muela . In this new project the initial investment will be 365.3 million euros and with the total implementation it will rise to 2.2 billion. In total, with the other two centres, Microsoft will invest 6.6 billion in the Aragonese territory.

The data centre will cover an area of ​​approximately 87.4 hectares , located north of the Malpica industrial estate between the A-2 and Villamayor , and will border the macro-logistical project that the Costa Group will implement in the same location . The president has detailed that the works “will begin in the shortest possible time” , without specifying a specific start or end date.ADVERTISING

As for employment figures, when the centre is fully operational, 300 highly qualified permanent jobs will be created , ranging from computer engineering, electrical mechanics, training and development to personnel management. On the other hand, at the time of the construction of the infrastructure, some 2,000 indirect jobs will be created.

The Government Council held on Wednesday has already given the green light to this project, with the Declaration of Autonomous Interest with General Interest (DIGA) . President Azcón has boasted about the arrival of this investment and has assured that Aragon is the region in southern Europe where “the most technological projects are being developed” . “It is great news for the economy of our community because it once again reinforces the position of the community as a region in which to invest”, he stressed.

A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY OF 264 MILLION

Specifically, he explained that the project will have a direct impact of 264 million on the growth of the Aragonese economy, between 2% and 4% of GDP in the period 2026-2030 . In addition, he reiterated the importance of this type of investment to create a “call effect” for other companies. “Data centres play a fundamental role and are the first link in a virtuous value chain. They generate investment, innovation and a greater offer of digital services,” he indicated.

This project is part of the expansion of Microsoft’s Azure network, which is expanding around the world and is particularly growing in Spain. In this line, the new Aragonese centre will be aligned with the sustainability commitments of the technological giant (eliminating the carbon footprint by 2030, operating with 100% renewable energy by 2025 and achieving a positive water impact) and with its training work.

Microsoft will therefore develop its “Talent Node” project in Aragon , which it has agreed with companies such as CEOE and Linkedin, and which aims to implement measures to reduce the gap between current profiles and the technological profiles that these types of companies demand. “This is an opportunity to turn Aragon into a specialised territory and improve the employability of our young people,” explained Azcón.

TWO OTHER DATA CENTERS IN ARAGON: PTR AND LA MUELA

At the end of 2023, Microsoft has already announced its intention to install two data centers in Aragon , one in the Recycling Technology Park (PTR) and another in Polígono Centrovía de La Muela, which have already received DIGA qualification. Likewise, the investment for both is 2.2 billion and construction was scheduled to begin in the first half of 2024, although there has not yet been any progress.

In light of this, President Azcón has pointed out that these investments are “over a decade” and not “a matter of a few months”. “They will begin to be built immediately, although they may be delayed , but Microsoft’s commitment is unquestionable and that is the most important thing,” he concluded.