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Aragon Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Amazon<\/h2>\n
In Spain, \u00a0Huesca\u00a0 has become a focal point for this investment wave, particularly through \u00a0Amazon\u00a0, which currently operates three data centers for its AWS platform in Burgo de Ebro, Villanueva de G\u00e1llego, and Huesca Capital. Recently, they announced plans for a new center in \u00a0Walqa\u00a0. Amazon is set to invest a staggering \u00a0$15.7 billion\u00a0 in the region between 2024 and 2033.<\/p>\n
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However, this ambitious project faced considerable controversy at the beginning of the year. Residents of the \u00a0Cuarte\u00a0 neighborhood received letters informing them about the \u00a0expropriation\u00a0 of land near the Walqa Technology Park. Concerns revolved around the new layout for a \u00a0high-voltage electric line\u00a0 crossing their town and the high water consumption anticipated.<\/p>\n
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In February, Cuarte residents met with Amazon representatives to express their worries. Fortunately, they managed to negotiate adjustments, leading to the \u00a0relocation\u00a0 of the high-voltage line. Moreover, Amazon agreed to finance infrastructure improvements to supply water to Cuarte and neighboring communities through new channeling works from the \u00a0San Juli\u00e1n de Banzo\u00a0 spring.<\/p>\n
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![\"Data](\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755271044_849_Spain-is-becoming-a-true-hub-for-data-centers-and.jpeg\"\/)
\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe \u00a0energy demands\u00a0 of these data centers are alarming. The upcoming facility in \u00a0La Cartuja\u00a0, Zaragoza, is projected to consume \u00a010,800 GWh\u00a0, surpassing the entire province’s electricity usage forecast for 2024, which is estimated at \u00a010.54 GWh\u00a0. To mitigate this issue, the company invested \u00a0\u20ac1.5 million\u00a0 in expanding the electricity network across its data centers.<\/p>\n
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Nonetheless, the \u00a0water usage\u00a0 remains even more concerning. According to \u00a0Carlos L\u00f3pez\u00a0, a member of Ecologists in Action in Aragon, Amazon plans to install wells to extract water from the subsoil for cooling equipment. These data centers are expected to consume over \u00a0755,000 cubic meters\u00a0 of water annually. L\u00f3pez warns that there will be insufficient oversight to track the exact amount extracted. An Amazon spokesperson clarified that the wells would be under regulatory supervision and designated as a backup water source.<\/p>\n
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This year, Amazon disclosed it is consuming \u00a048% more water\u00a0 than initially estimated, necessitated by rising heat levels. As these centers become operational, it will be critical to evaluate their actual impact on both local water supplies and the agricultural sector.<\/p>\n
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Assessing the \u00a0return on investment\u00a0 in these projects for countries like Spain is increasingly challenging. Although construction activities generate employment, operational phases typically require far fewer jobs.<\/p>\n
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For example, the new data center project being spearheaded by \u00a0Meta\u00a0 in \u00a0Talavera de la Reina\u00a0 expects to create around \u00a05,000 construction jobs\u00a0, but only around \u00a0250\u00a0 positions will remain for operation and maintenance.<\/p>\n
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![\"Meta](\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755271044_703_Spain-is-becoming-a-true-hub-for-data-centers-and.jpeg\"\/)
\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nDocuments from October 2021 reveal that the three existing data centers in Aragon had fewer than \u00a0twenty employees\u00a0 each. Such a welcoming approach by some autonomous communities may ultimately result in more dissatisfaction than benefits.<\/p>\n
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A Parallel Case: Uruguay<\/h2>\n
<pSimilarly, a significant data center project in Uruguay<\/strong> has also drawn scrutiny. Google announced plans to build a new data center in the Science Park<\/strong> of Canelones. This endeavor, the company’s second in Latin America, involves an estimated investment of over $850 million<\/strong> and sparked considerable concern from its inception.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <pDespite initial promises, concerns arose regarding water consumption<\/strong> and energy usage. Researcher Daniel Pena<\/strong> discovered significant gaps in information about the center’s water needs, receiving only access after legal action against the Uruguayan Ministry of Environment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <pThe findings revealed that the facility would initially require 3.8 million liters<\/strong> of water per day, doubling in the second phase to 7.6 million liters<\/strong>. To put this in perspective, that consumption equates to the needs of around 55,000 to 60,000 people<\/strong> daily, raising pivotal questions about resource allocation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <pIn response to mounting criticism, Google revised the project to lessen its dependency on drinking water, opting for a chiller-based cooling system<\/strong> to minimize waste\u2014a move that has brought some relief to concerned citizens.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <pThis shift towards better resource management is critical, especially as global temperatures rise. Both Spain and Uruguay stand at a crossroads, where technological advancement<\/strong> could significantly impact local communities and their resources. Decisions made today regarding data centers will shape the environmental landscape for years to come, necessitating a careful balance between innovation<\/strong> and sustainability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755271044_200_Spain-is-becoming-a-true-hub-for-data-centers-and.jpeg\")
\n Google Data Centers in Storey, Nevada. Source: Google.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n