The developer Box2Bit, a subsidiary of Capital Energy, is advancing the construction of a large data processing center in the El Viso industrial area, which will generate over 530 jobs and contribute more than 360 million to the local GDP.
Málaga is solidifying its position as a strategic hub in the national technology sector with the arrival of a new critical infrastructure project. The company Box2Bit has presented a plan to the City Council for the construction of a state-of-the-art data center on a 17,000 square meter plot located on Canada Street in the El Viso industrial park, next to the Teatinos university campus.
The project, which entails an estimated investment of 279 million euros, includes the creation of 80 permanent jobs and more than 450 additional jobs during the construction phase. According to the Urban Planning department of the council, this project has been included in the investment acceleration unit due to its significance in terms of technological innovation, economic volume, and the generation of qualified employment.
A Key Digital Node for Southern Europe
Called Olive Urban, this data center is projected as a critical point in the digital network of the southern peninsula, serving as a gateway for data flow between Andalusia, the rest of the country, and Europe. It will feature high-performance server hosting, networking equipment, and security systems capable of storing, processing, and distributing large volumes of digital information.
To achieve this, Box2Bit has requested a specific modification to the Urban Planning General Plan to reorganize the plot and prevent the construction of a street that would divide the land, intended as an extension of Quito Street.
The design includes a building of about 15,000 square meters spread over three or four floors, of which 12,770 square meters will be dedicated to data storage equipment and 2,250 square meters for administrative functions. There are also plans for the installation of photovoltaic panels and an electrical substation to ensure a renewable energy supply.
An Economic Boost of 363 Million to the Málaga GDP
According to the documentation presented to Urban Planning, the project will have a notable economic impact on the city. The company estimates that, in addition to the initial investment, the data center will generate around 31 million euros in taxes over its lifespan and increase the local GDP by about 363 million euros.
Moreover, the city council has emphasized the importance of this project in generating STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), not only during the construction but also in the future operation of the center.
From Energy to Data: Capital Energy’s Strategic Shift
Box2Bit had previously announced the construction of three larger data centers in Aragón and Castilla-La Mancha, with a combined investment of 6.3 billion euros. However, none of these have yet begun construction due to pending urban planning procedures.
Specifically, in Cariñena (Zaragoza), a data center worth 3.4 billion euros is planned, while Torija (Guadalajara) and Recas (Toledo) have two additional facilities projected at 2.9 billion euros. Despite being of a larger scale, the Málaga project appears to be progressing more rapidly from an administrative standpoint.
This shift towards the data center sector is a response to the financial difficulties facing Capital Energy, impacted by falling energy prices and barriers to accessing financing. In this context, the company has begun to divest from renewable projects to focus on high-value digital infrastructure.
Málaga: An Attraction Hub for the Digital Sector
The city of Málaga continues to enhance its appeal for technological investments and digital infrastructures. With this new data center, it strengthens its expanding technological ecosystem, already home to major telecommunications companies, innovation centers, universities, and advanced connectivity projects such as the Medusa submarine cable.
In summary, the Olive Urban project not only represents a qualitative leap in processing capacity but also exemplifies Málaga’s growing role as a digital node in Southern Europe.
Source: Sur in English