The Cushman & Wakefield report, analyzing 32 data center markets in the EMEA region, shows that the operational capacity of data centers grew by 9% year-on-year and the total market size by 16%.
Spain ranks eighth in EMEA by total market size, reflecting strong growth in the sector. Madrid consolidates as the main data center hub in Spain, with a total capacity of 538MW in operation, construction, and planning.
Data centers in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) continue to expand, with a year-on-year growth of 9% in operational capacity and a 16% increase in total market size, encompassing facilities in operation, construction, and planning. The latest EMEA data center report by Cushman & Wakefield highlights this trend.
While countries like the UK, Germany, and Ireland continue to lead the sector, Spain has experienced notable growth in recent years. With a total market capacity of 852 MW, including data centers in operation, construction, and planning, the country ranks eighth in EMEA, reinforcing its position as a strategic destination for digital infrastructure investment. Factors such as the growing demand for cloud services, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the digitalization of businesses have been key in this trend.
Madrid leads the sector's development in Spain, with a total capacity of 538 MW, placing it among the ten most relevant cities in EMEA for data center infrastructure. The capital has become a priority destination for investment due to its strategic location, quality digital infrastructure, and access to renewable energy, key elements for market expansion.
One of the factors driving this growth is the creation of availability zones by hyperscalers, who operate large-scale data centers with massive processing and storage capacity. Additionally, new colocation providers are emerging, renting their facilities to cloud service companies. The sector's dynamism and investor interest in Madrid are reflected in operations such as Damac Group's recent land purchase for a €400 million data center, with Cushman & Wakefield's advisory.
However, the growing demand has highlighted the limited availability of land and energy in central Madrid, leading investors to explore other locations in the outskirts. Municipalities like Alcobendas and the Henares Corridor are gaining prominence due to their better fiber connectivity and access to renewable energy.
Moreover, Spain continues to advance in its commitment to sustainability. The country has significant green energy-fed pipeline infrastructure and aims for 74% of its electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2030, a key factor for sustainable sector growth.
Future Prospects
The Spanish data center market continues to show positive growth, supported by investment in digital infrastructure and a commitment to sustainability. According to Cushman & Wakefield, data center markets in the EMEA region are classified into four categories: powerful (900MW+), established (300-900MW), developing (150-300MW), and emerging (<150MW). Madrid is in the "established" category, along with Helsinki, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oslo, Johannesburg, Cardiff-Newport, and Berlin, collectively representing 13% of the total operational capacity in EMEA.
Barcelona and Zaragoza are listed in the "emerging" category. Although these markets are in the early stages of development, they are attractive to data center operators due to their favorable business environment, growing demand for digital services, availability of land and energy, and improved fiber connectivity.
Andrew Fray, Director of Data Centers in EMEA at Cushman & Wakefield, notes that "Spain is consolidating as a key market in the EMEA region, with great growth potential. This development is driven by Madrid's strategic location, the potential of Barcelona and Zaragoza, and the constant evolution of technology, which demands greater digital capacity."
