Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente SA, a leading Spanish solar developer, has engaged Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to help secure a significant financial partner for its European data-center platform. This move signals Solaria’s strong ambition to position itself at the forefront of the rapidly growing European market for AI-driven electricity.
The new platform is founded on 3.4 gigawatts of consolidated grid access across Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Solaria has applied for another 5 gigawatts, highlighting its determination to secure as much capacity as possible ahead of intensifying industry competition. The company aims to finalize a deal by next summer, according to industry observers. However, neither Solaria nor Goldman Sachs has released any public statements regarding this development.
### AI Growth Reshapes Europe’s Power and Data-Center Landscape
Artificial intelligence is dramatically transforming global energy demand. Running complex AI models—both for training and inference—requires substantial amounts of electricity. Analysts predict that power consumption driven by AI could quadruple by the end of this decade.
Concurrently, data center developers and technology companies face mounting pressure to secure large, long-term power supplies. This trend is especially pronounced in Europe, where energy demand from data centers is expected to surge dramatically. The increased demand could potentially generate tens of gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Solar energy has emerged as a key alternative to traditional energy sources, with falling costs making it increasingly competitive. Solaria is rapidly moving to capitalize on this advantage to stay ahead in the sector. These developments are pushing hyperscalers to collaborate with energy developers who can ensure not only sufficient capacity but also rapid deployment—areas where Solaria has demonstrated considerable expertise.
### Spain: A Prime Location for AI Data Centers
Solaria’s home market, Spain, is among the most attractive locations for AI data centers in Europe. The country benefits from abundant sunlight, available land, and strong connections to undersea cables linking Europe with Africa and the Americas.
By 2035, data centers in Spain could account for up to 6% of the country’s total electricity consumption. This underscores the critical need for new renewable energy capacity to support this growing infrastructure.
### Solaria Accelerates Investments to Support Data-Center Strategy
Currently, Solaria holds 1.2 gigawatts of grid-connection rights reserved specifically for data center development within Spain. In a significant move in 2024, Solaria signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Datasection Inc. to build a 200-megawatt AI data center at its Puertollano complex.
The Puertollano site is well-suited for advanced technology installations, featuring clean room facilities and original manufacturing sites for photovoltaic cells. Spanning nearly 100,000 square meters, this project exemplifies Solaria’s ambition to become a global leader in energy and infrastructure collaboration for the AI community.
### Strong Financial Performance Fuels Growth
Solaria’s growth is underpinned by solid financials. The company’s shares have nearly doubled this year, reflecting investor confidence in its expanding energy pipeline and increasing involvement in the AI and data center sectors.
The ramp-up of solar projects, alongside plans to reach 14.3 gigawatts of total capacity by 2028 through solar, wind, and battery storage solutions, is driving both revenues and profits.
### A Strategic Leap for Solaria and Europe’s AI Future
Should Solaria secure a firm partnership for its 3.4-gigawatt platform, it could emerge as one of Europe’s leading providers of clean energy infrastructure for data centers.
This project symbolizes the convergence of two pivotal global transitions: the shift to renewable energy and the rise of AI computing. For large technology firms, it represents a pathway to secure long-term clean energy for next-generation data centers.
For Europe, the initiative highlights increasing alignment between energy and digital strategies. For Solaria, it marks a significant evolution from a top solar developer to a key player supporting the AI revolution’s infrastructure needs.
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