en.Wedoany.com Reported - Submer Group has announced an investment of over €1 billion to build a next-generation artificial intelligence data center at the former Ercros industrial site in Flix, Tarragona Province, Spain. This project represents a decisive step in the region's reindustrialization process and strengthens Spain's position in Europe's growing AI infrastructure market.
The future facility will be dedicated to providing the critical infrastructure required for advanced computing needs, including energy capacity, physical space, cooling systems, and buildings specifically designed to support large-scale artificial intelligence workloads. Through this project, Submer aims to address Europe's growing demand for sovereign AI infrastructure while promoting economic and technological development in Catalonia. The project is developed and managed by Rubix Data Centers, a company under the Submer Group specializing in designing, building, and operating data centers for AI. The project was officially unveiled on July 11 during an official event presided over by Salvador Illa, President of the Government of Catalonia, and accompanied by Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Enterprise and Labor.
One of the most notable aspects of the future infrastructure is the adoption of an advanced liquid cooling system developed by the group itself. According to the company, the data center is designed to maximize energy efficiency and achieve water-free consumption in daily operations, a feature particularly important in the context of growing sustainability concerns for large-scale technology facilities. Rubix will adopt a long-term operational model, taking responsibility for both the construction of the facility and its management once operational. The company has a management team with extensive experience in executing large-scale data center projects.
This initiative is part of the reindustrialization plan promoted by the Government of Catalonia, which aims to give new productive uses to abandoned industrial land. Thanks to this plan, the land, which for decades housed a chemical plant, will once again play a significant role in the regional economic landscape. The development will be carried out in two phases and, upon completion, is expected to create up to 150 permanent jobs, primarily in operations and maintenance, critical facility engineering, infrastructure management, security, technical services, and operational support.
Patrick Smets, CEO of Submer Group, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment for the company and Spain's technology ecosystem. He stated that as a European company, Submer Group is proud to contribute to the reindustrialization of Flix and to position Spain as a benchmark in AI infrastructure development. The Flix site has significant industrial heritage and is an ideal location for the group's AI infrastructure vision to begin taking shape. Smets also highlighted the group's intention to strengthen its presence across the entire AI value chain, from energy supply and industrial land to cloud and edge computing infrastructure.
John Eland, CEO of Rubix Data Centers, focused on the long-term nature of the project. He stated that the company's intention is to operate the facility built in Flix, so this is not just about developing a project and leaving. The commitment to Flix is long-term, and the company will work with the local community and government to help create high-skilled job opportunities.
With this investment, Flix is poised to become one of the new strategic nodes for European AI infrastructure. This sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the expansion of generative AI models and the demand for more powerful, efficient, and sustainable data centers.
