The technology multinational Meta, owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has taken a solid step in its European expansion by confirming the installation of its fifth data center in Zaragoza. The project, which will be located in the Technological Recycling Park (PTR) of La Cartuja Baja, covers a reserve of 20 hectares. This same location has been previously chosen by Microsoft and is adjacent to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) facilities, consolidating Zaragoza as a strategic hub for tech giants in Europe.
The agreement to purchase three plots of the PTR has been reached with Sareb, marking a milestone in the development of the technological ecosystem in Aragon. With this new investment, expected to be worth billions, Meta will reinforce its infrastructure to provide cloud services to clients in southern Europe, directly competing with Microsoft and Amazon.
A booming technological ecosystem
Aragonese clusters in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, Tecnara and IDIA, have welcomed Meta’s arrival as a significant boost for the region. “Meta’s presence reinforces Aragon’s image as a technological hub,” they said, highlighting the potential attraction that the arrival of more companies in the sector could generate. Both clusters agree that the consolidation of tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services positions the community at the forefront of global technology, competing nationally with Madrid.
Furthermore, social agents have emphasized that this investment not only represents economic progress but also an opportunity for the creation of specialized employment. Unions have stressed the need to strengthen the training of technological profiles, a demand that is expected to grow with the sector’s expansion in the region.
Meta and its commitment to Spain
The project in Zaragoza will be Meta’s second data center in Spain, following the development in Talavera de la Reina, where the company has already reserved 130 hectares for a similar complex. These infrastructures are crucial to Meta’s business model, as they allow the support of the vast amount of data generated by its platforms and offer faster and more efficient services to its users.
Although Meta has not specified the exact volume of the investment in Zaragoza, the commitment to land acquisition and its expansion policy suggest that it will be a significant investment, similar to those made in other strategic points in Europe.
Technological competition and local growth
With Meta’s arrival, Zaragoza not only enhances its appeal to technology multinationals but also becomes a key node in the European digital map. The fact that Microsoft and Amazon Web Services have already invested in the city gives the region a competitive advantage, positioning it as a hub for data storage and management.
This technological growth in Aragon not only benefits the private sector but also opens doors to public-private collaboration. Local and regional administrations have highlighted the positive impact it will have in terms of economic development, employment, and strengthening the local business fabric. The goal is for this investment to not only attract large multinationals but also to drive the creation of a true digital ecosystem, benefiting both startups and established companies.
The importance of training and employment
Unions and business associations have pointed out the urgent need to improve the training offer in technological profiles. The installation of these digital giants in Zaragoza will require highly skilled workforce. It is estimated that in the coming years, the demand for professionals specialized in data management, cybersecurity, and cloud services will significantly increase.
Therefore, close collaboration is foreseen between tech companies, the government, and educational institutions to develop training programs that ensure the supply of local talent and enhance the employability of Aragonese people.
In summary, Meta’s confirmation for the installation of its new data center in Zaragoza reinforces the city’s role as a technological reference point in southern Europe. With the presence of Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, the region strategically positions itself on the global digital map. The commitment to Aragon will not only attract more investments but also boost the creation of specialized employment and the development of a technological ecosystem that will benefit the entire community.
Image of Meta data center in the USA.