Submer Group will transform the closed Ercros chemical plant in Flix into a major AI-focused data center. The €1 billion project is set to create 150 skilled jobs and marks a key step in Catalonia’s digital ambitions.
Submer Group has announced a €1 billion investment to convert the former Ercros chemical plant in Flix, Tarragona, into a large-scale data center specializing in artificial intelligence. The project, revealed on Saturday, is expected to generate 150 highly qualified jobs and signals a major shift for the Ribera d’Ebre region, which has faced industrial decline in recent years.
The initiative is part of Catalonia’s broader strategy to position Tarragona as a digital and technological hub. According to the regional government, the new data center will be developed and operated by Rubix Data Centers, a Submer subsidiary. The facility will occupy approximately 13,000 square meters and will have an installed electrical capacity of 85 to 90 megawatts, a critical factor for data center operations.
During the project’s presentation, President Salvador Illa emphasized the significance of the investment for both the local economy and Catalonia’s reindustrialization plans. He highlighted the collaboration between local, regional, and national authorities in facilitating the transformation of the Ercros site, which had been closed since 2023 after a long reindustrialization process. The plant, once a symbol of the region’s industrial past, was acquired by the Portuguese group Bondalti earlier this year.
Submer, originally focused on advanced cooling systems for data centers, is now expanding its role to core data center operations. Co-founder Pol Valls pointed to Flix’s industrial heritage, available land, and energy infrastructure as decisive factors for the project’s location. The company’s move is seen as a commitment to long-term regional development rather than short-term gains.
President Illa also underlined the importance of public-private cooperation in making the project possible, noting the extensive work done to prepare the industrial site. He pointed out that few locations in Spain offer the necessary infrastructure for such large-scale data centers, and stressed the competitive advantage provided by renewable energy in the country, with electricity costs comparable to Italy and significantly lower than in Germany.
The Flix data center is expected to be operational by the end of 2027, with phased expansion planned. The project coincides with Catalonia’s bid to host a major EU-backed gigafactory, which could bring an additional €5 billion investment to the region. Illa stated that both initiatives would reinforce Ribera d’Ebre’s strategic position in new technologies, especially given the area’s challenges following the closure of traditional industries and the anticipated shutdown of nuclear plants.
For context, Spain has been actively seeking to attract high-tech investments to revitalize regions affected by industrial closures. The country’s focus on renewable energy and digital infrastructure has made it increasingly attractive for data center operators. According to industry data, Spain’s data center market has grown rapidly in recent years, with major international and domestic players expanding their presence, particularly in Madrid and Barcelona. The Flix project stands out for its scale and its potential to anchor new economic activity in a region undergoing significant transition.
