The construction of the new Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center in Huesca is starting to take shape with the initial preparatory works in the vicinity of the Walqa Technology Park. Although the main phase of the construction is scheduled for August 4, that date has not yet been officially confirmed and will depend on the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for land acquisition in the rural neighborhood of Cuarte.
The initial activities that have begun include earthmoving and tasks related to the purchase of parcels, a process that affects about ten families in the area. Silvia Lles, the local mayor of Cuarte, has confirmed that negotiations are progressing individually with each property owner, as the impact on the parcels varies between permanent occupation and temporary use during construction.
The project has generated excitement in Cuarte, where residents expect to be invited to a meeting soon with representatives from AWS and the Huesca City Council to learn more about timelines and commitments made. Among the main community concerns were the routing of a high-voltage power line, initially planned to be very close to homes, and the guarantee of water supply for the future data center.
AWS has addressed both issues by rerouting the high-voltage power line and committing to fund hydraulic infrastructure to ensure water supply in both Cuarte and the nearby communities of Huerrios and Banariés. The supply will come from the San Julián de Banzo spring, with the replacement of a pipeline approximately 5,380 meters long between Barluenga and the Loporzano storage tank. This new section will be the third pipeline constructed to channel water from San Julián de Banzo since the 1950s and will involve an estimated investment of 1.6 million euros.
The hydraulic project for San Julián is already drafted, and its execution is expected in the short term, while a second related project is still in preliminary study phases.
The strategic importance of this data center has led the regional government to grant it a declaration of general regional investment interest, which will expedite the necessary administrative processing for its development.
The arrival of the AWS data center in Huesca strengthens Aragón’s position as a technological hub and promises to boost local employment and infrastructure modernization, although the community is still awaiting definitive details and timelines for execution.
Source: Cadena SER