U.S.-based company Digital Realty has announced a historic €500 million investment to expand its infrastructure in Spain, with the construction of two new data centers in Madrid and Barcelona.
In the Spanish capital, the company will develop its fifth data center, named MAD5, located in the MadBit technology district (Julián Camarillo industrial area). This new facility will have a capacity of between 20 and 24 megawatts (MW) and is expected to require an investment of around €300 million. Although no exact opening date has been set, the land acquisition has already been completed.
Meanwhile, in Catalonia, Digital Realty will open its first data center in Sant Adrià del Besòs, Barcelona, with an initial capacity of 14 MW. The new center is expected to become operational in early 2026 and will require an investment of €200 million.
Both projects are part of an expansion strategy aimed at positioning Spain as a key hub for connectivity and data storage in Europe. Currently, Digital Realty operates four data centers in Madrid, managing approximately 65% of the Iberian Peninsula’s internet traffic, and hosting platforms such as Netflix, Disney, IBM, and numerous cloud providers.
Robert Assink, Managing Director of Digital Realty in Spain, emphasized the strategic importance of these centers, comparing their role to that of transport infrastructures such as roads or ports in the past. “The backbone of a country now lies in data centers and telecommunications networks,” he stated.
The growing demand for digital services and the intensive use of cloud solutions have driven the need for more powerful infrastructure. According to Assink, the price per MW has risen by 30% since the start of the war in Ukraine, reaching €13 million per MW, due to inflation, the energy crisis, and raw material shortages.
The new centers will follow the highest sustainability standards. Digital Realty’s projects are powered by 100% renewable energy thanks to a long-term power purchase agreement signed with Acciona. In addition, their cooling systems are designed to minimize water usage, relying on cold air to keep equipment under optimal conditions.
This commitment to Madrid is not an isolated move: the city consistently leads in attracting foreign direct investment in Spain. According to the latest report from Madrid Investment Attraction, in 2024 the Community of Madrid received €25.812 billion in gross productive investment, accounting for 67.4% of the national total, consolidating its position as the country’s top investment destination.
Madrid was also the second-largest destination in Europe and seventh worldwide for greenfield project investment, with more than €4.7 billion invested across 155 projects, generating over 10,000 jobs. The strong presence of the technology sector in these developments further reinforces the city’s position as a leading digital hub in Europe.
With these investments, Digital Realty strengthens its commitment to Madrid and consolidates its role as a key player in the capital’s digital transformation, contributing to economic and technological development in an increasingly competitive and interconnected environment.
