One of the most recent and emblematic projects is the new technological production center of the CTS Group, which will be installed in Viana do Castelo. This infrastructure, with more than 21 thousand square meters of built area and expected to create 500 direct jobs, represents only the first step of a strategy that aims to generate more than two thousand jobs in the country by the end of the decade.

The choice of Viana do Castelo to host this center was not random. The proximity to the port, the existence of a consolidated industrial ecosystem and the strategic location for exporting equipment to Central and Southern Europe were determining factors. All products manufactured in this unit will come out with the "Designed and Made in Portugal" seal, reinforcing the country's position as a producer of cutting-edge technology for the global data center market. The completion of the work is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, and the unit will function as a multifunctional hub, producing electric power modules, electrical panels, modular and prefabricated components, in partnership with the multinational Eaton.

This investment is part of a broader context of transformation of the Portuguese technological landscape. In recent years, Portugal has been asserting itself as a new European hub for data centers, benefiting from a unique combination of factors: privileged Atlantic location, access to intercontinental submarine cables, abundance of renewable energy and political stability. These elements have attracted international operators and boosted large-scale projects.

Among the most relevant projects is the Start Campus in Sines, considered the largest private investment in digital infrastructures in Portugal. This mega data center, with an expected capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, will consist of six modular and independent buildings, occupying more than 60 hectares. SINES DC is strongly committed to sustainability, using exclusively renewable energy and advanced seawater cooling systems, minimizing the consumption of natural resources. The expected economic impact is significant, not only by the creation of direct and indirect jobs, but also by the knock-on effect on the entire value chain, from industrial maintenance to catering and accommodation.

Lisbon, in turn, continues to consolidate itself as an important hub for international connectivity. Companies like Equinix have been expanding their footprint, with the construction of new data centers in the capital. The most recent, LS2, represents an investment of 50 million euros and reinforces the capacity for collocation and network interconnection, serving as a connection point between Europe, Africa, and America. The city is also preparing to receive a third Equinix data center, scheduled for 2027, following the growing demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and data storage.

Another outstanding project is Google's investment in the Azores, under the Cloud project. In addition to the installation of a transatlantic submarine cable that will connect the United States, Bermuda, São Miguel and Sines, the opening of a data center on the island of São Miguel is planned, reinforcing the decentralization and capillarity of the national digital infrastructure.

Along with these large operators, other players such as AtlasEdge, Merlin Properties, NOS, Altice, and Claranet have also been investing in new infrastructures, contributing to the diversification and robustness of the sector. The Portuguese market, although still at an early stage in terms of installed capacity, has a pipeline of projects under construction and planning that promises to multiply the supply in the coming years.

The impact of the data center industry goes far beyond technology. It is estimated that the sector could contribute up to 26 billion euros to the national GDP by 2030 and create around 50 thousand qualified jobs. Data centers are now strategic assets, fundamental for the digital transformation of the economy, the development of technological clusters and the attraction of foreign investment. They also allow the retention of national talent and the creation of opportunities in regions outside large urban centers, promoting territorial cohesion.

Portugal thus meets all the conditions to assert itself as a pole of excellence in the data center industry, combining innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness. The new CTS center in Viana do Castelo is just another example of the dynamism and ambition that characterize this new Portuguese digital era, where the country is increasingly positioned at the center of the technological future of Europe and the world.