The representatives of the main data processing centers (DPCs) in Spain will meet today with high-level government officials at La Moncloa to address two critical issues affecting the sector: streamlining access to energy and the possible relocation of these facilities to rural areas.
High-level meeting at La Moncloa
Manuel de la Rocha, Secretary of State and Director of the Office of Economic Affairs and G20, will meet with representatives of the data center industry. This meeting represents a milestone in the relationship between the technology sector and the government, highlighting the strategic importance of these infrastructures for the Spanish digital economy.
Sector demands
Data centers, represented by the Spain DC association, will bring two main demands to the negotiating table:
1. Streamlining bureaucratic procedures to access energy supply, managed by Red Eléctrica.
2. Halting government plans to relocate data centers to less populated areas of the country.
Impact on business competitiveness
The potential relocation of data centers to rural areas has raised concerns in the business sector, especially among the large corporations of the Ibex 35. These companies rely on the proximity of data centers to maintain their competitiveness, as proximity reduces latency in digital operations.
“Messaging services could be deployed in Spain or with worse quality. If major DPC operators have to choose where to invest, the last place will be in the middle of nowhere,” warn industry sources.
Madrid as a digital hub
The Spanish capital has become an important global digital interconnection hub. A recent study by DE-CIX reveals that Madrid:
– Concentrates 65% of large multinational companies located in Spain.
– Has quadrupled the number of Internet exchange points in the last decade.
– Has 40 operational data centers with plans for significant growth.
Relocation could jeopardize Madrid’s strategic position as an international digital hub of reference.
The importance of data centers
DPCs are crucial for the operation of everyday digital services, from messaging applications to streaming platforms. They are also essential for storing and processing information for companies, public administrations, and financial entities.
The meeting at La Moncloa marks a turning point in the debate on the future of these critical infrastructures and their role in Spain’s digital and economic development.
Source: VozPopuli