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See how Big Tech is transforming Spain's landscape

By: Ruth Sherlock

22 October 2026 at 10:00

PLACEHOLDER FOR DRONE VIDEO An Amazon data center, currently under construction, is seen in Cuarte, Spain on September 29, 2026. The Spanish region of Aragon is seeing a huge surge in data center construction which has alarmed many local residents due to their high energy use, noise pollution and heat generation. Amazon alone is building 30 data center buildings, according to papers the company filed with the regional government. The Aragon regional government has offered Amazon, Microsoft, and other tech companies tax breaks to build there. Local residents say that the government has appropriate land agains the will of the owners to pave the way for the centers and their infrastructure to be built. (Photo by Michael Robinson Chávez for National Public Radio)

A drought-stricken region of northeast Spain has become a focus for American companies searching for locations to place their data centers.

(Image credit: Michael Robinson Chávez for NPR)