Aragon approves €13.5 billion Blackstone data center campus in Calatorao

Administrative clearance and infrastructure

The Government of Aragon finalized the administrative approval of Project Rhodes on 30 September 2026, granting the development status as a Project of General Regional Interest (PIGA). Developed by QTS Data Centers, a subsidiary of Blackstone, the campus involves an estimated total investment of up to €13,471 million across 223.4 hectares in Calatorao. The site sits along the A-2 highway on industrial land designated for development over a decade ago. The first phase covers seven years and includes eight data center buildings, an on-site electrical substation, high- and medium-voltage power lines, water and drainage networks, and a dedicated solar photovoltaic plant. QTS holds guaranteed grid access for 650 megawatts of electrical capacity for this opening phase, while environmental impact evaluations for the server buildings remain under review at the Aragon Institute of Environmental Management (Inaga).

Economic impact and employment projections

Regional authorities project the campus to generate between 2.1% and 3.3% of Aragon's gross domestic product once operations commence. Construction during the initial phase will create 1,200 direct jobs, followed by 200 permanent technical positions when servers start functioning in 2028. A secondary expansion phase could add up to five additional data centers along with logistics and technology facilities, bringing total employment to 3,400 positions. For the municipality of Calatorao, a town of under 3,000 residents located 50 kilometers from Zaragoza, the project represents an estimated €1,036,278 in annual local tax revenue, consisting of €643,000 in property tax (IBI), €287,881 in economic activities tax (IAE), and municipal service fees. This revenue equals 39% of Calatorao's total municipal income during its last fiscal year.

Regulatory clash over national data decree

Regional President Jorge Azcón used the project presentation to criticize a draft royal decree on data centers prepared by the Spanish central government. Azcón stated that the draft national requirements for energy and environmental standards create regulatory barriers that could halt the QTS investment in Aragon. The regional government previously filed formal objections against the draft decree, describing it as a de facto ban on the sector. Azcón urged the administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to align national policy with less restrictive rules prepared by the European Commission. Azcón also confirmed plans to meet Calatorao Mayor David Felipe to discuss housing construction to accommodate the incoming workforce.

There is a real risk that this project could be stopped.

Scrutiny over executive appointment

The announcement coincided with political scrutiny regarding the transition of Marta Ríos from the Aragon regional government to QTS. Ríos served as regional director of strategic investments, where she participated in bringing the Rhodes campus to Aragon, before working for six weeks at the Zaragoza Accident Mutual (MAZ) during the summer and then joining QTS. Azcón defended the appointment by citing the 1984 state incompatibilities law, stating that Ríos was temporary staff rather than a high-ranking official subject to post-tenure restrictions under Aragon's 2017 public integrity legislation. Azcón stated that Ríos will work on other European Blackstone initiatives rather than Project Rhodes, rejecting calls from the opposition PSOE to tighten regional ethics rules.

Her professional worth is what explains why that company took notice of her.