Amazon Web Services (AWS) is preparing to strengthen its digital presence in Spain through a massive investment plan aimed at expanding its infrastructure and developing data centers. According to new data, these investments are expected to reach 33.7 billion euros (equivalent to 37.5 billion dollars) by 2035, which will contribute 31.7 billion euros to Spain's GDP.
An independent study conducted by GfK (part of NielsenIQ), commissioned by AWS, showed that the presence of this digital infrastructure has had a tangible positive impact on local companies working in the ecosystem of building and operating data centers, with 85% of local suppliers reporting that collaborating with AWS had a positive impact on their business.
Revenue and Profitability Growth for Local Suppliers
The study revealed a clear gap in financial performance between companies that work with AWS and those that do not. More than 60% of local suppliers recorded an increase in their revenues since beginning their collaboration with AWS, with an average increase of 35%, a rate significantly higher than companies not linked to the ecosystem, which recorded an increase of only 26%. Additionally, 53% of suppliers reported an increase in net profits, compared to only 33% for other companies.
Stimulating the Labor Market and Developing Talent
The impact was not limited to the financial side but extended to the technical and construction labor market associated with it. The results indicated that nearly 60% of AWS suppliers in Spain succeeded in increasing their workforce, compared to only 41% for companies not linked to it. It is estimated that data centers will support the equivalent of 29,900 full-time jobs annually on average at local companies, including direct and indirect jobs.
From Local to Global Expansion
The technical expertise gained from working with AWS projects has helped open international horizons for Spanish companies; 21% of suppliers were able to expand into international markets, while 12% of them have already begun to expand their business scope to include other AWS regions around the world, reflecting the transformation of local expertise in the Aragon region into a global competitive advantage.
What Does This Mean for the Technical Landscape?
These data points prove that investment in data centers is not limited to providing space for storage and processing, but acts as an "Economic Multiplier" for digital infrastructure. What is actually changing is the transformation of local companies from mere traditional service providers into partners in complex, high-value technical supply chains. However, the ongoing challenge remains in the extent to which the local education and training system can keep pace with this increasing demand for specialized talent to ensure the sustainability of this technical growth.