The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) held a high-level debate on the challenges and opportunities of Data Centres in relation to regional development and sustainability goals. The discussion underscored how Europe’s regions are becoming key players in building the infrastructure needed to achieve technological sovereignty, attract investment, and support the twin digital and green transitions.
During the debate, Jorge Azcón, President of the Region of Aragón, presented his region as a leading European example in the development of large-scale data infrastructure. He underlined that “the data that feed Artificial Intelligence are going to drive the greatest innovation in human history,” emphasising that competitiveness in the coming years will hinge on regions’ capacity to apply and integrate AI technologies.
President Azcón noted that Aragón has attracted over €50 billion in data centre investments in just two years – an amount equivalent to the region’s GDP. He identified two decisive factors behind this success:
- Administrative efficiency, as demonstrated by the completion of Amazon’s €15.7 billion data centre permitting process in only nine months; and
- Sustainable energy production, with 90% of Aragón’s energy generated from renewable sources.
Azcón said “These elements make Aragón a model of how regions can combine sustainability and competitiveness to attract cutting-edge technological investment.” He also stressed that the next step must be to ensure that such large-scale investments stimulate local SMEs, technological education, and digital ecosystems, spreading the benefits across the community.
Building on this intervention, Carlos Mazón, President of the Region of the Valencia, commended Aragón’s leadership and called for a coordinated European approach. “There will be no technological or energy sovereignty without the right infrastructure base,” Mazón stated. He emphasised that data centres and digital connectivity are fundamental pillars for Europe’s innovation and security, noting that the Region of Valencia is also expanding its technological capacity and attracting new investment.
Mazón urged the European Commission to support regional initiatives in this field and to recognise the role of local and regional authorities in developing Europe’s data infrastructure. He concluded “It is from the European Committee of the Regions – from those closest to the territories – that we can launch the Europe of Artificial Intelligence.”