Aragon already has data centers that rely on the network. In fact, this is where the fight lies. For this reason, Krollmap, a Zaragoza engineering company founded in 2022, is proposing a different model: total refrigeration with CO2 and supply with three gas plants. It is presented as the first in Spain without electrical connection to the grid and offers 225 MW on 25 hectares of La Legua industrial estate (Belchite) in six buildings. Oh, and less than 1.5 billion euros of investment.
This 1,135,454 m2 industrial estate has the space to host a project that will integrate renewables, batteries and cogeneration to supply continuous demand. This is the firm’s second bet in the province: it already has another up to 150 MW in Villanueva de Gallego, where it has already bought more than 20,000 square meters and with its own generation.
don’t know what Although we know how, almost everything is in the air, such as CO2. The information published does not name tenants, suppliers or financial partners and renewable energy is not public. Also no file: According to UNITNAVE, the project does not appear in official bulletins or in INAGA resolutions. DCD (DatacenterDynamics) notes that emissions from co-generation and required storage need to be assessed when renewable resources fail.
Refrigerate with CO2. CO2 is used as a refrigerant liquid and serves as an alternative to fluorinated gases that are about to be banned. These are installations that operate at around 50 bar and save energy through free-cooling (ie with continuous flow). And, for example, in Pattern, a Tier IV center will recover its waste heat for a heating network. That is, it solves refrigerant consumption, but does not burn up the electricity footprint.
Why without network? Because the network is saturated. Red Electrica Aragon’s data center connection permit estimate is 3,700 MW, more than double the community’s peak demand.
And the decree is due to arrive: the government sent it to the Council of State with 80% support and a margin of up to five years for that transition. Additionally, the threshold from which most requirements apply has been raised to 10 MW. He wants to approve it before the November 29 election and they are already on track. This text conditions the centers that connect to the networks, so it remains to be seen how the one that does not connect fits.
What associations say. In its complaint, the Renewables Foundation called for a ban on island centers with most fossil fuels, noting that Ireland had already vetoed them. Nothing is said about Belchite. Ecologistas en Acción feared that the lack of renewable energy would push the centers towards combined cycle, gas or nuclear power. This is something that is up for debate. Its map, produced by ‘It’s Not Dirt It’s Looting’, counts 28 macrocentres with 11,237 MW (of which only three are operational, including 140 MW).
As we have already addressed on other occasions, the ‘Tu Nube Seca Mi Río’ organization cites a study according to which 8,000 MW will multiply Aragonese electricity demand between 5 and 15 times. Together with Ecologistas en Acción and other entities, they promoted the first controversial civil society petition against a data center project.
Protests grow. More than 2,000 people marched in Torero at the end of September. This week, according to Tu Nube Seca Mi Río, there will be a rally in Huesca on Friday the 6th and a “mega demonstration” in Zaragoza on the 7th. At City Hall, Zaragoza en Comune presented a resolution requesting a moratorium and supporting these assemblies.
beyondThe Spain DC employers’ association warns that the decree puts almost 9,000 million euros at risk. Microsoft maintains its roadmap on Aragon and says it will go for 100% renewables. The Basilio Paraiso Foundation estimates that the sector will contribute about 1.2 billion annually to the regional GDP… Meanwhile the current government has already given the seal of general interest to nine projects involving a total of 82 buildings.
In short, Belchite is an announcement, at least for now. But a promising one, from a center that will even collect rainwater in storm tanks and have its own WWTP, where they will produce 3 MWp of photovoltaics and have two 750 kW wind turbines. The dates that will weigh on your investment are the 29-N pre-election decree and this weekend’s protests, which could set the tone.
Picture | crawlmap
In Xataka | “It’s not progress, it’s the opposite”: A Microsoft data center has moved into some Zaragoza residents
