The President of the Government of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, announced this Thursday a business investment by the Azora Group, which will build a data center in Villamayor de Gállego with an initial investment of 1.1 billion euros. The company contemplates a possible expansion from the initial 150 MW to 300 MW, which would imply raising the investment to 1,950 million euros. The Governing Council has previously approved the DIGA related to this initiative.
The project, called ‘Tillion Aragón’, will generate 1,040 jobs during its useful life. In case of expansion, the number of jobs would rise to 1,770. “This is a new business commitment that joins many others that we have been announcing over the last months and weeks and that reinforces two indisputable realities. The first is that the Aragonese economy is going through a vibrant moment, unprecedented in terms of attracting companies and investments and job creation. And secondly, that Aragon has consolidated its position as a leading region in the European technology sector”, he indicated.
“Today, technology companies from all over the world that are looking for a place to deploy their data centers consider Aragon as a preferential destination, because this land has the optimal conditions for their development,” acknowledged the head of the regional executive.
Grupo Azora, the developer of the project, already has the permits for access and connection to the electricity transmission grid, which were granted last year by Red Eléctrica de España. The project will include not only the urbanization and construction of the data center, but also the auxiliary infrastructure necessary for its operation, including the electrical connection, the data networks and the connection to the fiber optic network, water supply and sanitation, and road access.
Regarding the impact on the Aragonese economy, the president indicated that “it is estimated that the construction and start-up of the 150 MW data center will have an estimated impact on the Aragonese Gross Domestic Product of 5,487 million euros. In the case of a possible expansion to 300 MW, the impact of the ‘Tillion Aragón’ project on the Aragonese economy would reach 9,305 million Euros”.
“It is also interesting to consider the fiscal footprint of the project, whose total estimated contribution, between direct and indirect taxes, will be 138 million euros. In the case of reaching 300 MW, this contribution would rise to 193 million euros”, he pointed out.
Another noteworthy aspect,” added Jorge Azcón, ”is the environmental perspective of the project, as the Azora group’s data center has been designed with a firm commitment to sustainability. “Among its main features are the reduction of water consumption by using advanced cooling technology that will avoid the intensive use of water. Thanks to a closed-loop system, annual water consumption will be equivalent to the average of 25 homes.”
“In addition, the use of energy will be 100% renewable, either through self-consumption with solar and wind power plants or by purchasing electricity from green energy producers,” he added.
About Azora
Azora is a renowned Spanish investment manager with more than 20 years of experience in infrastructure and real estate assets. Founded by Fernando Gumuzio and Concha Osácar, the company manages close to EUR 15 billion in assets in Europe and the United States, through its offices in Madrid, London and Miami.
With a solid base of institutional investors and an innovative vision, Azora’s track record is based on the identification and anticipation of global megatrends, standing out in the development and promotion of affordable rental housing since 2004, with the management of more than 30,000 homes.
It also stands out for the creation in 2011 of the largest platform of student residences in continental Europe, the launch in 2012 of the Hispania listed vehicle and an investment of more than €1.3 billion in hotels in Europe. It has also developed and operated more than 2.0 GW in solar and wind energy in Spain and the US.
