IREN (NASDAQ: IREN) has announced the establishment of IREN Europe and has secured the civil works license for a new AI data center campus in Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. This facility is projected to provide approximately 300 megawatts (MW) of capacity, with operations expected to commence in 2028.
The Badajoz campus is part of IREN’s broader strategy to deliver AI cloud services tailored to customers in Europe. It will include managed services for businesses that require specific control over their AI workloads and data management. This initiative aligns with IREN’s plan, which encompasses over 5 gigawatts (GW) of grid-connected power in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, catering to diverse data residency requirements across regions.
Daniel Roberts, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of IREN, emphasized the importance of local data management, stating, “For customers in Europe, sovereign AI starts with two questions: where their data sits and who’s running the infrastructure.” The newly appointed leadership, including Roberto Purcaro as Executive Director for Europe and Ángel Corcóstegui as Chair of the board, aims to ensure accountability and effective oversight of operations in the region.
Designed for energy efficiency, the Badajoz campus will utilize closed-loop liquid cooling technology, minimizing its water requirements, while remaining compatible with NVIDIA’s DSX AI Factory Platform. IREN is in ongoing discussions with local, regional, and national authorities to facilitate the project’s development.
The newly formed IREN Europe board will be chaired by Ángel Corcóstegui, a figure with extensive experience in infrastructure and energy, including his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Banco Santander. Roberto Purcaro, with more than 25 years in infrastructure and digital projects, will lead the company’s European operations.
In June 2026, IREN entered the European market with the acquisition of Nostrum Group, a Spain-based data center developer, further bolstering its operational capabilities in the region with a team of over 60 professionals.
Upon completion of its acquisition of Mirantis, IREN will enhance its software capabilities to include k0rdent AI, allowing efficient management of AI infrastructure. This will offer clients functionalities such as workload isolation and compliance with data governance requirements, while integrating NVIDIA’s technologies to strengthen its platform.
As IREN Europe is set to begin operations, its management remains focused on the successful launch of the Badajoz campus and meeting the needs of its future clients.
