The expansion of data centers in Aragon has become a central topic in the political debate. Irene Montero, the political secretary of Podemos, spoke out at an event held in Zaragoza against the regional president Jorge Azcón and the projects planned in the community. She compared them to a “new transfer” due to their resource consumption, especially water. In her speech, Montero argued that “Aragon has already stopped one transfer and now needs to stop another,” framing the controversy around the idea that these infrastructures serve private business interests rather than social priorities.
The message, bold and deliberately symbolic, resonates with a deeply rooted sensitivity in Aragon: the defense of water as a strategic resource, a matter that has historically driven mobilizations and territorial debates. Montero claimed that the development of data centers mainly benefits multinationals — explicitly mentioning Amazon Web Services and Microsoft — while, in her view, straining resources like water and land. During her speech, she called for prioritizing water “for living, not for the few to make money,” linking her critique to a broader defense of public services.
Aragon, a new hub for data centers… and a new point of friction
The controversy isn’t happening in a vacuum. For months — even years — Aragon has been consolidating its status as an attractive territory for large “server farms.” The main argument in favor relies on several factors: availability of industrial land, connectivity, ability to attract investment, and a geographical position that facilitates operations for the Iberian and parts of the European markets.
However, this narrative clashes with a parallel debate: the real impact of these installations amid water stress, pressure on the electrical grid, and doubts about their social return. Unlike traditional factories, large data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and, depending on their cooling systems, may also need significant water to dissipate heat. The political clash arises when part of society perceives that the benefits (business, digital services, computing) are concentrated abroad, while the costs (resource consumption, local impact) are borne locally.
In recent months, various media outlets have highlighted the energy dimension of the phenomenon. An estimate circulated in Aragon suggested that the proposed data centers by Microsoft and AWS could require over 21,000 gigawatt-hours combined, compared to a regional demand in 2024 unlikely to exceed 10,000. While subject to how the projects are implemented, this comparison illustrates the magnitude of the issue that has raised alarms in the public debate.
Water as a symbol and as a technical variable
Montero’s phrase — “new transfer” — isn’t just a political metaphor: it aims to highlight water as a physical limit. The issue has precedents in public debate. In 2025, a report on a mobilization in an Aragonese municipality against a data center noted that the water demand associated with the project had triggered local conflict and immediate political reactions.
However, water consumption in a data center isn’t a single figure. It depends on the type of cooling system: some prioritize air cooling (with low or no water use during operation), others use closed-loop systems, and some rely on evaporative cooling, which can significantly increase water demand. External temperature, system size, utilization levels, and efficiency strategies also influence water use.
Therefore, part of the current debate is shifting toward a specific question: how much water will actually be used, and under what conditions? In a territory where water management is politically sensitive, the lack of clear, comparable, and up-to-date figures fuels suspicion and polarization.
The narrative battle: investment and modernization versus “spoliation” and speculation
Montero’s statements occurred within a context of political confrontation in Aragon, where data centers have become a symbol for some and a target for others. The Podemos leader positions these infrastructures within a logic of “business and speculation,” aligning her criticism with groups that speak of a “bubble” or accelerated development without sufficient environmental assessment.
On the other side, advocates for attracting data centers emphasize the economic impact, their reputation as a tech hub, and their role in stimulating suppliers, connectivity, and services. They also highlight that the industry is under pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint, which pushes adoption of more advanced cooling technologies and cleaner power sources.
Nevertheless, even among those seeing opportunities, there’s a growing nuance: as projects multiply, expectations increase. No longer is mere investment enough; demands now include transparency regarding consumption, verifiable commitments, tax returns, local employment, and guarantees of environmental sustainability, all aligned with energy and water planning.
A clash that anticipates a national discussion
What’s happening in Aragon isn’t an isolated case. The expansion of data centers has accelerated across Europe due to demand for cloud services and AI, prompting many regions to ask: how can we balance the digital economy with physical limits like water, energy, and land?
Montero’s discourse puts this dilemma at the forefront, translating it into an easy-to-understand idea: if water is finite, priorities must be set. The likely outcome will be a technical, political, and social debate. Most importantly, it will lead to regulations: permits, limits, efficiency standards, audits of consumption, and generally stricter operating conditions.
Meanwhile, the controversy leaves a clear conclusion: data centers are no longer just invisible infrastructure. In Aragon, they have become a top-priority matter capable of shaping alliances, mobilizing territories, and opening an uncomfortable discussion about the development model that the community desires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a data center consume, and what does it depend on?
It mainly depends on the cooling system (air, closed-loop, evaporative), local climate, and the actual size and usage of the facility. That’s why two data centers can have very different consumption levels.
Why has Aragon become a hub for data centers?
Due to a combination of available land, connectivity, strategic location, and capacity to attract investments, although current debates question the balance between local benefits and costs.
What impact do data centers have on a region’s electrical grid?
They are highly electricity-intensive infrastructures. When multiple projects concentrate, they can strain energy planning and require grid upgrades and large-scale supply agreements.
What measures are being called for to ensure data centers are sustainable?
Transparency of consumption, setting limits and audits, using more efficient cooling technologies, reclaiming heat when feasible, and verifiable commitments on energy and water aligned with local realities.