The recent announcement of the construction of the Nostrum Evergreen Data Center in Badajoz, promoted by the Ingenostrum Group, has placed Extremadura on the map as one of the new reference points for digital development in Southern Europe. The project, which involves an investment of approximately €2 billion and is expected to create around 2,200 jobs, is described by the Minister of Economy, Employment, and Digital Transformation, Guillermo Santamaría, as “an example of a leading company for the development of the Extremadura digital ecosystem.”
A Project of Strategic Dimensions
The infrastructure will initially occupy almost 200,000 square meters within the Badajoz Logistics Platform and already has the institutional support of the Government of Extremadura and the city council. The project has just applied for the Premia Project from the General Directorate of Business and is expected to commence development in 2026, in several phases. Public-private collaboration has been crucial, as highlighted by Santamaría, stressing institutional support in the search for land and technical advice.
A Driver of Employment and Digital Transformation
One of the most notable aspects of the project is its ability to generate quality employment and retain talent in the region. More than 2,000 jobs are anticipated during the construction phase, with at least 900 direct jobs once operational, many of which will be highly skilled in areas such as electrical engineering, information technologies, cooling, and telecommunications. Additionally, hundreds of indirect jobs in auxiliary services and related activities are expected to be generated.
Ingenostrum has also announced plans to collaborate with universities, vocational training centers, and educational institutions in Extremadura, aiming to incorporate local talent and train specialized technical profiles, strengthening the region’s labor and educational framework.
Efficiency, Sustainability, and Connectivity
The Nostrum Evergreen data center, with a planned capacity of 300 MW, is designed with energy efficiency, security, and scalability in mind, and will integrate renewable energy from its inception. It is part of a portfolio of digital infrastructures that Ingenostrum is developing in other regions of Spain, such as Galicia, Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, and the Basque Country.
Extremadura’s location has been key: the abundance of land, competitive costs, and direct access to clean energy make the region a strategic enclave for large digital infrastructures. Its geopolitical position also facilitates international data connectivity with America, Africa, and Europe.
Impact on the Digital Ecosystem and Regional Growth
According to data from the latest Cotec report, Extremadura is growing above the national average in digital intensity, reflecting the success of its commitment to technological transformation. Salaries in the digital sector in the region already exceed the average by 38.5%, contributing to an improved quality of life and professional attractiveness.
Minister Santamaría emphasized that business confidence in Extremadura is growing 2.5 times faster than the national average, thanks to incoming investments and the dynamism of the business fabric.
A New Digital Hub in Southern Europe
The arrival of Nostrum Evergreen and other technological projects confirms Extremadura’s emerging role as a new digital hub in Southern Europe, aligning with the goals of decentralization, sustainability, and innovation that define the national and European agendas for digitalization.
The mega data center by Ingenostrum not only represents a technological advance but also a historic opportunity to transform the regional economy, retain talent, and establish Extremadura as a reference point in the new European digital economy.
Source: Government of Extremadura