Amazon announces $40B Spain data center expansion

Amazon unveiled plans to pour €33.7 billion into Spain for expanding its data center infrastructure, a move aimed at bolstering cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities across Europe.

Credit: Amazon

The Seattle-based tech giant made the announcement at MWC26 Barcelona on March 2, 2026, marking its largest technology investment in the country to date.

This fresh commitment adds €18 billion to the €15.7 billion pledged in 2024, targeting the AWS Europe (Spain) Region in Aragón.

The total outlay through 2035 is projected to inject €31.7 billion into Spain's gross domestic product while sustaining an average of 29,900 full-time equivalent jobs each year in local businesses.

These positions span direct roles at Amazon, indirect jobs in the supply chain, and induced employment from increased economic activity.

Among them, 6,700 stem directly from Amazon's operations, covering data center technicians, construction crews, and security teams.

Job Creation and Supply Chain Development in Aragón

Amazon intends to construct new supply chain hubs in Aragón to underpin its data center activities in Spain and beyond.

These sites will encompass a server assembly and testing plant, a fulfillment warehouse for manufacturing, and a specialized repair center for AI and machine learning servers.

Once up and running, the facilities will generate about 1,800 jobs in the region.

The expansion extends Amazon's footprint to all three provinces of Aragón (Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel) for the first time, positioning the company as the initial tech firm to establish data centers in Teruel.

More than half of the economic benefits, equaling €18.5 billion in regional GDP contributions through 2035, will concentrate in Aragón, backing 13,400 annual full-time equivalent jobs, with 4,200 directly tied to Amazon's local investments.

Historical Presence and Broader Investments in Spain

Amazon first entered Spain in 2011 and has since funneled over €20 billion into retail, logistics, cloud infrastructure, AI, and community efforts.

The AWS Europe (Spain) Region launched in November 2022, serving as a foundation for digital overhauls in various sectors.

“As Amazon marks 15 years in Spain, this new infrastructure investment reinforces our long-term commitment and will be pivotal for the country’s digital and economic future,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer.

"We're supporting Europe's digital capabilities and expanding cloud and AI infrastructure that businesses and organizations are already using to grow and innovate. Our investment will create meaningful opportunities for Spanish citizens, including high-skilled jobs and community initiatives, while advancing water stewardship and promoting carbon-free energy projects. This is a long-term bet on Spain, and we're proud to make it.”

Entities harnessing the Aragón-based AWS infrastructure include Telefónica, BBVA, Iberia, Indra, Iberdrola, Mapfre, Moeve, Multiverse Computing, Idealista, Ibercaja, WiZink, Gobierno de Aragón, IE, Insud Pharma, Grupo Editorial Edelvives, Grupo San Jorge, Smadex, ONCE, and the Spanish Red Cross.

Community Programs and Skills Training Initiatives

Amazon has earmarked €30 million for community initiatives through 2035 in its operational areas, emphasizing education, sustainability, social welfare, and regional growth.

Since 2023, the company has backed over 100 programs in Aragón, such as two Community Funds aiding 48 local projects and partnerships with football clubs Real Zaragoza and SD Huesca that have involved more than 2,000 children in inclusive sports events.

The Think Big Space robotics program, introduced in 2023, has reached over 7,400 students in 45 schools across Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel.

On a national scale, AWS has equipped more than 200,000 individuals with digital skills since 2017.

In partnership with Spain's Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport, Amazon targets training 500,000 students in AI and digital competencies by 2027 via programs like AWS Futuro IA, AWS re/Start, AWS Spain Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance, and Amazon Future Engineer.

Sustainability Efforts in Energy and Water Management

Amazon aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and has funded 100 solar and wind projects in Spain, including seven new solar farms, to energize its operations.

The Aragón data centers have run on 100% renewable energy since 2022.

The company pursues water positivity by 2030, meaning it will replenish more water than it consumes in direct operations. In 2024, AWS achieved 53% progress toward this target.

In Aragón, €17.2 million supports five water initiatives: leak detection in outdated pipes, boosting reused water for farms, a flood control system in Zaragoza, AI-driven agriculture tools for farmers to cut water use while boosting yields, and upgrading a vital pipeline in Huesca.

Local supplier ALAN COMMISSIONING, specializing in data center setup and operations, has grown to 65 employees thanks to AWS opportunities and now runs an internal training scheme for young engineers from the area.