The Government of Aragon has given final approval to the Project of General Interest of Aragon (PIGA) for Project Rhodes, promoted by QTS, to develop a data center campus in Calatorao. The initiative envisages investment of up to €13.471 billion and the potential creation of 3,400 jobs once fully developed.
QTS data center campus to occupy 223.4 hectares near the A-2 highway
Approval of the PIGA completes the administrative process for a project that was already declared a Regional Investment of Interest and of General Interest to Aragon in October 2024. The president of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, presented the scope of the initiative at a press conference held in the Hall of Columns at the Pignatelli Building.
The campus will be located alongside the A-2 highway, on 223.4 hectares of industrial land zoned for this use. The land has been set aside for industrial activity for more than a decade but had not been developed until now.
The initiative will include site development work and the installation of the facilities required for the technology complex. The project will be developed on this industrial land designated in Calatorao, with access to the infrastructure associated with the future campus.
Project Rhodes includes up to 13 data centers and a self-consumption solar plant
The first phase of the project calls for the construction of eight data center buildings, along with its own electrical substation, water supply, drainage, telecommunications, and access infrastructure. It will also include a photovoltaic plant intended for the complex’s own consumption.
In a second phase, QTS may expand the campus with up to five additional data centers and new logistics or technology developments. As a result, the complex could ultimately house a total of 13 buildings dedicated to data centers.
The project includes the transfer to Calatorao Town Hall of 785,045 square meters for public facilities and roads, as well as 47.5 hectares of green areas. These transfers are valued at €9.78 million.
Project estimates 3,400 jobs and more than €1 million a year for Calatorao
Construction of the campus’s first phase is expected to create 1,200 direct jobs. Once operational, the facility is expected to support up to 200 permanent positions, while the full development of Project Rhodes would raise total employment to 3,400 jobs.
According to estimates included in the project, the infrastructure would have an impact on Aragon’s gross domestic product of between 2.1% and 3.3%. For Calatorao, the activity would generate estimated annual tax revenue of €1,036,278, from property tax, business tax, and water, sewerage, and waste fees.
The projected revenue exceeds €1 million annually and is equivalent to 39% of the municipality’s total revenue in its most recently closed fiscal year.
