SAMCA Group to Build €2.6 Billion Green Data Center Campus in Spain’s Aragon Region

Spain’s Aragon region continues to emerge as a major European data center hub with news that mining and energy conglomerate SAMCA Group is planning a massive €2.6 billion ($3 billion) campus development near Zaragoza.

According to industry reports, the project—dubbed Green IT Aragon—has secured designation as a Project of General Interest of Aragon, potentially streamlining its development process. Construction is expected to begin next year on the first phase, which reportedly will deliver 131MW of capacity when it launches in 2028.

From Mining to Digital Infrastructure

What makes this development particularly notable is the company behind it. SAMCA Group, founded in 1967, has traditionally focused on mining and materials, though it has diversified into renewable energy and industrial logistics in recent years. Their pivot into digital infrastructure signals how traditional industrial players are recognizing the value of the data center market.

The project’s green credentials appear substantial. Sources indicate the campus will be powered by renewable energy generated through seven wind farms already operating in Luceni and surrounding municipalities including Pedrola and Plasencia de Jalón. This approach could give SAMCA a competitive edge in an industry increasingly focused on sustainability.

Aragon’s Rapid Transformation

While Madrid and Barcelona have historically dominated Spain’s data center landscape, Aragon—particularly the Zaragoza area—has become something of a hotspot for large-scale developments. The region offers advantages including available land, competitive energy costs, and strategic location between major population centers.

Analysts note that SAMCA’s project joins an already crowded field in the region. Microsoft has established a significant presence around Zaragoza, with reports suggesting the company could eventually invest more than €10 billion across multiple campuses. Amazon also operates its Spanish cloud region through three data center sites in the area, while other players including QTS, Vantage, and ACS are developing their own facilities.

This concentration of digital infrastructure in a traditionally industrial region represents a significant economic transformation for Aragon. The area appears to be positioning itself as Spain’s answer to other European secondary data center markets like Dublin’s surrounding counties or Frankfurt’s neighboring regions.

Community Concerns and Development Timeline

Not everyone is celebrating the rapid development, however. Reports indicate that Zaragoza has recently seen protests from local residents concerned about the pace of data center construction and its potential impact on communities and resources.

Construction on the SAMCA campus is expected to continue through 2030, with the potential to eventually scale to 300MW of total capacity. The phased approach suggests the company is taking a measured view of market demand while maintaining flexibility for future expansion.

Industry observers will be watching closely to see how a traditional mining company navigates the complex world of data center development. SAMCA’s experience in energy generation and industrial project management could prove valuable, but the transition from extractive industries to digital infrastructure represents a significant shift in business focus.

As one analyst noted, the success of this project could influence whether other industrial companies with energy assets consider similar pivots into the rapidly expanding digital infrastructure sector.