Aldeatejada, the technological innovation centre in Salamanca driven by Iberdrola España: nearly 300 million euros and over 2,850 jobs

The Technological Innovation Centre, driven by Iberdrola and IBM in 2008 and currently operated by Viewnext, an IBM subsidiary, has turned the municipality of Salamanca into a benchmark for economic growth, qualified employment, and digital innovation.
The Cenit model has generated a powerful driving effect in the province of Salamanca: since its inception, new technological companies like Indra, UST Global, or NTT Data have settled in the region, generating synergies with local universities, boosting initiatives such as Salamanca Tech, hackathons, research chairs, and vocational training programmes.
Aldeatejada is the best example of Iberdrola España's firm commitment to innovation and represents a real investment in the future, progress, and competitiveness of the economy of Castilla y León. Above all, it represents a great opportunity for Salamanca

The Director of Innovation, Environment, and Quality of Iberdrola España, Agustín Delgado, accompanied by the Regional Minister of Industry, Trade, and Employment of the Junta de Castilla y León, Leticia García; the Mayor of Aldeatejada, Enrique Manuel García; the General Director of Viewnext, Jorge Jiménez; and the Rector of the University of Salamanca, Juan Manuel Corchado

Aldeatejada has established itself as one of the main technology hubs in Castilla and León thanks to the sustained impact of the Centre for Technological Innovation (Cenit), a pioneering facility inaugurated in 2008 by Iberdrola, a group of which Iberdrola España is part, with IBM. With an accumulated investment of close to €300M and the creation of more than 1,000 direct jobs and 1,850 indirect jobs, Aldeatejada is a success story in attracting technological talent, public–private collaboration and the revitalisation of the regional economy.

The innovation centre and the data centre located in the Salamanca town of Aldeatejada have been operated over the years by strategic players such as INSA and, currently, Viewnext, a subsidiary of IBM. This enclave has undergone a notable evolution in technological capabilities, including artificial intelligence, cloud services, cybersecurity, automation, digital experience and business solutions, becoming key to the digital transformation of Iberdrola España and other international companies.

The Director of Innovation, Environment and Quality of Iberdrola España, Agustín Delgado, presented this morning this successful model of innovation in the town of Salamanca, accompanied by the minister of Industry, Trade and Employment of the Government of Castilla and León, Leticia García, the mayor of Aldeatejada, Enrique Manuel García, the CEO of Viewnext, Jorge Jiménez, and the rector of the University of Salamanca, Juan Manuel Corchado.

The Cenit model, promoted by Iberdrola and supported by the Castilla and León regional government and the University of Salamanca (USAL), has been a driving force in the province of Salamanca: since 2008, new technology companies such as Indra, UST Global and NTT Data have set up in the region, generating synergies with local universities – USAL and Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca – boosting initiatives such as Salamanca Tech, hackathons, research chairs – ViewNext-USAL Chair – and vocational training programmes with six centres, as well as the Women and Technology programme.

For all these reasons, the Aldeatejada Centre for Technological Innovation was awarded the Computing Award in 2008, and since then it has continued its development with new extensions and collaborations with key players in the digital sector.

Social and economic impact in Salamanca

Since the opening of the centre, the population in Aldeatejada has experienced remarkable growth, doubling from 1,192 inhabitants in 2008 to more than 2,500 today. This increase has placed the municipality in third place in terms of gross income per capita in the province of Salamanca, with a significant improvement in the wage inequality index (Gini Index), which has fallen from 31 to 27 points.

The economic activity is also reflected in the creation of companies: Aldeatejada has registered a sustained growth of 3.3% per year in the number of businesses since 2012, in contrast to a negative average of -0.8% in the province as a whole.

Likewise, the increase in the business fabric and population, followed by the retention of young talent and the creation of new jobs, has led to investments in municipal infrastructure such as a swimming pool, charging point and a sports pavilion.

A social and cultural model that can be replicated throughout Spain with international visibility

The case of Aldeatejada demonstrates that sustained investment in digital infrastructure, together with strategic partnerships between large companies, public administrations and the education system, generates tangible benefits for the area. This Iberdrola España project has transformed the municipality into an inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystem with international visibility.

Highlights include work with schools to stimulate technological vocations at an early age, Start Up Ole, one of the largest technology fairs on entrepreneurship and innovation held in the capital of Salamanca, and the commitment to the environment through the Viewnext Forest initiative and the planting of 3,000 native specie trees in Aldeatejada.

Spain, the gateway for global data to the continent

Spain has significant potential in Europe for the development of data centres, due to its strategic geographical location, which has consolidated it as the gateway for global data to the continent.

In addition, Iberdrola has recently established CPD4Green, a company that enhances its assets, capacity, and experience to facilitate the development of sustainable data centres. CPD4Green has secured more than 700 megawatts (MW) in Spain and has a potential portfolio of an additional 5,000 MW.

Aldeatejada represents the best example of Iberdrola España's firm commitment to innovation and is a real investment in the future, progress, and competitiveness of the economy of Castilla y León. Above all, it is a great opportunity for Salamanca.

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