Here’s the translation:
—
The agreement includes 23 development sites that could add up to over 4.4 GW of capacity and consolidates Spain as a strategic hub for future digital infrastructure.
The American company EdgeMode, specialized in data infrastructure for artificial intelligence, has announced the acquisition of the Blackberry Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), in a deal that paves the way for the development of a high-performance data center (HPC) network throughout Spain. The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), stipulates that EdgeMode will absorb 100% of the assets of Blackberry AIF in exchange for capital and investment, turning the shareholders of BAIF into owners of 50% of EdgeMode’s equity.
The BAIF portfolio includes 23 development sites that could collectively reach 4.41 GW of capacity, of which over 2.2 GW already have lease agreements, urban planning permits, and access to dark fiber. The immediate goal is to achieve 1 GW ready to build (RTB) by the fourth quarter of 2025, and reach 2.2 GW RTB by the end of 2027.
“This merger with Blackberry AIF accelerates EdgeMode’s transformation into a leader in high-performance computing,” said Charlie Faulkner, CEO of EdgeMode. “We are combining our expertise in infrastructure with BAIF’s strategic assets to create a scalable platform that responds to the unrelenting growth of AI demand.”
A commitment to Spain as a driver of digital growth
The operation reinforces Spain’s position as a key location for data infrastructure development in Europe. Blackberry AIF, which has no connection to the former mobile brand of the same name, has announced plans over the past year to install large-scale data centers in Castilla-La Mancha, Córdoba, and Toledo, among other locations.
Highlighted projects include:
- A 120 MW data center in Córdoba (Andalusia)
- Facilities of 100 MW in Vianos and Alcaraz (Albacete)
- A 100 MW center in Toledo
- Several smaller projects in Hormigos (5 MW), Alberche (18 MW), Cuerva (5 MW), Ardosa (6 MW), Lobera (14 MW), Las Camaña (10 MW), and Las Valeras (9 MW)
The total estimated investment to reach 1 GW in the next three years exceeds 10 billion euros.
“This partnership brings global capital, execution capability, and access to public markets to our pipeline of next-generation data center assets,” explained José Mora, CEO of Blackberry AIF. “Together with EdgeMode, we will accelerate development, attract hyperscale customers, and generate long-term value.”
From cryptocurrency mining to infrastructure for AI
EdgeMode, which trades on the OTC market, began its operations in the cryptocurrency mining sector, but after its acquisition by Fourth Wave Energy in 2022 and the challenges in financing its activities, it has pivoted towards colocation and HPC hosting services. It recently acquired Synthesis Analytics Production, including a 95 MW energy contract and a 20 MW facility in Marviken (Sweden) with immersion cooling.
This move consolidates the company’s strategic shift and positions it to compete in the European AI infrastructure market, driven by the explosion of generative language models, autonomous industrial applications, and critical digital services.
Geostrategic implications
The operation also has a geostrategic dimension, by integrating advanced computational capacity on European soil—a growing necessity in the context of technological sovereignty, generative artificial intelligence, and the digital energy transition. According to EdgeMode, the new conglomerate “is poised to attract significant investor interest” and seize the unique opportunity to become a key player in the European AI-driven data center ecosystem.
The announcement reinforces the perception that Spain is establishing itself as a magnet for investment in large-scale digital infrastructure, thanks to its availability of land, connection to renewable energy grids, fiber optic networks, and its strategic location to connect Europe, Africa, and America.
via: datacenterdynamics