Global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM has been officially appointed by Nostrum Data Centers to lead the comprehensive design and construction management of a monumental new €1.9 billion (US$2.2 billion) digital campus located in Badajoz, Spain. This massive infrastructure development known as “Nostrum Evergreen” is poised to become one of the most significant technological investments in Southern Europe by aiming for a staggering total capacity of 500 megawatts upon full completion.
The sheer scale of this ambitious project is difficult to overstate as it will rival the combined capacity of all currently operational data centers within Spain today, effectively doubling the nation’s digital processing potential in a single stroke. By selecting AECOM for this critical role, Nostrum Group has secured a partner with extensive global experience in delivering complex, hyperscale environments required to support the explosive growth of artificial intelligence applications across the European continent.
Phased Delivery of a Digital Giant
The execution of the Nostrum Evergreen campus will proceed through a meticulously staged construction program designed to bring substantial capacity online rapidly while allowing for future scalability up to the 500-megawatt target. The initial phase of development focuses on the engineering and construction of state-of-the-art data halls and critical operational infrastructure that will deliver an opening capacity of 150 megawatts of electric power (MWe).
Following the successful commissioning of these initial facilities, the project roadmap outlines a second major expansion phase scheduled to commence in early 2029 which will elevate the site’s operational output to 300 MWe. This phased approach ensures that the facility can begin generating revenue and supporting client workloads relatively quickly while construction teams continue the complex task of building out the remaining infrastructure on the sprawling 200,000 square meter industrial site.
Nostrum Evergreen Data Center: Factsheet
Location: Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain
Client: Nostrum Data Centers (Nostrum Group)
Lead Contractor/Manager: AECOM (Design & Construction Management)
Project Name: Nostrum Evergreen
Investment Value: >€1.9 Billion (US$2.2 Billion)
Total Planned Capacity: Up to 500 MW (MWe)
Site Area: 200,000 square meters
Timeline:
Building Permit: Expected Mid-2026
Construction Start: 2026
Phase 2 Start: Early 2029
Key Features:
Advanced AI-ready cooling systems.
Secured electrical capacity independent of future grid plans.
Total capacity equals current Spanish national output.
Strategic Impact:
Positions Badajoz as a European digital hub.
Supports rapid AI growth across the continent.
Engineering for the AI Era
Designing a facility of this magnitude requires the integration of next-generation technologies capable of managing the intense thermal and electrical demands characteristic of modern high-performance computing and artificial intelligence workloads. Nostrum Evergreen will incorporate advanced cooling systems and intelligent power consumption management protocols that set new industry benchmarks for energy efficiency and sustainability in line with stringent European environmental regulations.
AECOM’s mandate involves overseeing the deployment of these sophisticated systems to create a “next-generation” campus that not only meets current hyperscale requirements but is sufficiently resilient to adapt to future hardware evolutions. Javier Camy, Managing Director for AECOM in Spain, emphasized that the project is destined to become an “international benchmark” for the sector, showcasing how massive digital infrastructure can be delivered with precision engineering and forward-thinking design principles.
Strategic Location and Secured Power
The selection of Badajoz in the Extremadura region as the home for this digital mega-hub is a strategic decision that leverages the area’s industrial readiness and availability of resources necessary for such energy-intensive operations. Unlike many competing projects across Europe that face significant delays due to grid interconnection bottlenecks or zoning conflicts, highlighted recently as BP ditches plans to construct Teesside hydrogen plant over site clash with data center project, Nostrum Evergreen has notably already secured the necessary electrical capacity without needing to rely on the future Spanish Electrical Grid Development Plan 2025–2030.
This secured power availability provides a significant competitive advantage that allows the developers to adhere to an aggressive timeline with the building permit expected by mid-2026 and major construction activities slated to begin shortly thereafter. Gabriel Nebreda, CEO of Nostrum Group, highlighted the demanding deadline the team has set for breaking ground next year, noting that achieving such an ambition is only possible through tight collaboration with strategic partners like AECOM who possess the capability to navigate the regulatory and technical challenges of a project this size.
