Prime Data Centers to build largest data centre in Madrid

Prime Data Centers is planning to construct a new data centre in Madrid, marking the company's first venture in the Spanish capital. The site for the new development, covering an area of 7.6 acres, has been secured in Alcobendas.

The new data centre aims to be the largest in terms of live colocation capacity in Madrid, offering 50 megawatts (MW) of capacity according to data from DC Byte. Located at Calle de la Pedriza 1 in Alcobendas, the facility will be strategically positioned near existing centres operated by Equinix, CyrusOne, and Data4, ensuring excellent network and fibre access.

The development plan includes a 26,000-square-metre hyperscale data centre, equivalent to 280,000 square feet, with a critical power capacity of 40 MW. The project will commence according to customer demand and is estimated to start in the first quarter of 2025.

Madrid has been chosen as the location for this new venture due to its record take-up in 2023, largely driven by hyperscale requirements, which accounted for 74% of the demand. The central location allows the data centre to serve a significant population base and act as a network relay point for coastal regions and neighbouring Portugal. Additionally, the city provides access to a well-educated and skilled labour market. There is also a sustained demand for in-country data centre capacity to meet information governance requirements.

Prime's Founder and CEO, Nicholas Laag, commented on the development by noting the impressive data centre uptake in Madrid, pointing out that the city is poised for strong growth in the foreseeable future. "Alcobendas is an ideal location for Prime's first data centre in Madrid with an established ecosystem that offers easy access to fibre and experienced, skilled labour," Laag stated.

Michael Wall, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction for Prime in Europe, also expressed optimism about the project. Having spent twenty-five years in Madrid, Wall remarked on the collaborative effort of local stakeholders that has prepared the city to meet the increasing demand for data centres. "Prime believes this strong foundation will sustain data centre growth in Madrid, further validating its place alongside the most influential digital infrastructure markets in Europe. We are excited to contribute to the success story," said Wall.

The announcement did not disclose specific financial details of the project. However, the new data centre's proximity to existing facilities and the availability of skilled local labour is expected to enhance its operational efficiency and market responsiveness.