Microsoft has created its first cloud region with data centers in Spain.
Microsoft will supply artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud services to businesses and governments from data centers positioned throughout the Madrid Community.
The new cloud area, known as Spain Central, is part of Microsoft’s plan to invest $2.1 billion in Spain between 2024 and 2025.
The Data Centers Were Built By Ferrovial
According to IDC, increasing AI and cloud computing for Spanish firms has the potential to add $10.7 billion to the national GDP and create around 77,000 jobs between 2024 and 2030.
Spain Central will provide productivity services, data analytics, cybersecurity, computing and storage (Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform), and generative AI.
Alberto Granados, president of Microsoft Spain, stated: “We are committed to Spain through investments, alliance promotion, and the development of programs that ensure broad access to the cloud, as well as AI services that enable organizations and individuals to develop and use technology in ways that benefit the public good.
“We do this through a data center infrastructure that provides the most innovative cloud and Artificial Intelligence services, offering the highest levels of reliability, security, privacy, and data residency.”
José Luis Escrivá, Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Service for the Government of Spain, added: “Microsoft’s new data center region will provide cutting-edge, sustainable, and secure AI solutions for Spain and the rest of Europe.”
“It is a great satisfaction that Microsoft is once again betting on Spain for the deployment of state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, thus contributing to the positioning of our country at the forefront of digital transformation.”
Clients previously confirmed for the new region include Abanca, Aciturri, Banc Sabadell, Banco Santander, Bankinter, BBVA, and CaixaBank, among others.
Microsoft partners Accenture, Capgemini, DXC Technology, Fujitsu, Minsait, KPMG, Kyndryl, NTT Data, SEIDOR, and Telefónica Tech have recently joined the Microsoft cloud region Strategic Partner Program to assist Spanish organizations with their digital transformation and workload migration to the new Spain Central data center region.
Plans for the Madrid region were initially presented in 2020, in collaboration with Telefónica.
In October 2023, Microsoft announced plans to establish a second cloud region in Aragon, Spain.
Google was the first hyperscaler to open a Spanish area in May 2022, with a location in Madrid.