We will be pleased to support the development of an AI data centre in Andorra, said Dr. Tariq Jbarah, CEO of OCTOPiAN

Dr Tariq Jbarah, CEO of OCTOPiAN, and Bruno Ciroussel, CEO of ASC Group / AiTEK FACTORY On June 8, a Protocol of Agreement was signed between OCTOPiAN and its sister company, OCTOPiAN ORA, on one side, represented by Dr. Tariq Jbarah, and ASC Group/AiTEK FACTORY, an Andorran company, on the other side, represented by Bruno Ciroussel. The agreement provides for project support and investment in the development of artificial intelligence technologies, as well as the financing of a sovereign data center in Andorra with a planned capacity of 25–50 MW. In addition, the parties have pre-agreed on the establishment of a financing credit line of up to €750 million to support the project’s implementation. The partnership is underpinned by several key factors, including Andorra’s strategic position within Europe, the strong confidence placed in ASC Group/AiTEK FACTORY’s technological expertise and capabilities, the country’s political stability, and the accessibility and responsiveness of its public institutions. The initiative also reflects the growing recognition that data and AI have become the “new gold” of the digital economy. By investing in sovereign AI capabilities and secure data infrastructure, Andorra is positioning itself to capitalize on one of the most valuable strategic assets of the XXIst century. This agreement is now being advanced in close coordination with the Andorran authorities, and all key elements are in place to initiate the project. The final decision now lies with the relevant institutions in Andorra. At the same time, several alternative locations remain under consideration across Europe; however, Andorra continues to be regarded as a highly attractive and strategically relevant option for the project’s implementation. Could you tell us about the agreement that was signed today? We have signed an agreement to capitalize on the AITEK-8 platform to develop AI infrastructure provided by OCTOPiAN, along with its ecosystem, whether through OCTOPiAN, ORA, a specialised global data centre builder, or through other arms of OCTOPiAN, such as OCTOPiAN Security, which focuses on cybersecurity at a national level. AI-driven cybersecurity is a growing trend, and it is now essential to accelerate security measures across all cybersecurity and soft services we provide to our customers. Andorra has its own unique advantages and special positioning. First of all, it is a well-known tourist destination, and due to its proximity to major technology players attending the Mobile World Congress in nearby Barcelona, it offers a strong strategic location. Andorra can serve as a proof of concept and a demonstration environment for other customers and countries, showcasing how successfully we can implement these solutions within their infrastructure and sovereign services. What made ASC Group/AiTEK FACTORY the right partner for this initiative? AiTEK-8 will be one of the premium services that will attract tenants and bring foreign customers into the country. It represents an important arm as a premium software layer built on top of the infrastructure. AI, in itself, is not a product sold as bare metal; it requires use cases and services on top of it. AI is a perfect example of this layered model. What role do you expect to play in the implementation and growth of the data centre initiative in Andorra? It is part of our objective. We will be pleased to support the development of an AI data centre in Andorra. AI data centres are currently a major trend, but we aim not simply to follow the marketing narrative; rather, we seek to harness the real power of AI for governmental services and to attract foreign investors into the data centre sector in Andorra, thereby contributing to the country’s GDP. Andorra is a relatively small market. What is the strategic rationale behind your interest in investing there? Andorra has strong sustainable energy resources, particularly hydropower. The only way to export such a national resource is to transform it into a digital commodity, and an AI data centre represents one of the most effective forms of such a commodity, capable of attracting demand from different countries and regions. We are prepared to invest directly in the construction of the data centre itself. We will not act solely as a developer; we will deploy investment, build the data centre, and host tenants, whether governmental, sovereign, or third-party international clients. In partnership with the government and relevant authorities, we aim to generate and share the revenue created by these tenants. What due diligence and preparatory information will be needed before construction can begin? The required information will primarily relate to the technical characteristics and specific features of the land plot, environmental assessments, seismic studies, and other risk-related analyses relevant to data centre development. In addition, regulatory approvals and permits are essential to ensure a fast-track initiation process, as AI data centres require rapid implementation. Regulatory simplicity and efficiency are key decision factors. The initial assessment typically takes two to three months to reach a high-level qualification of the location. A detailed study may take up to six months. Once agreements and regulatory frameworks are in place, implementation can proceed immediately after completion of the studies and business cases. How do you assess the impact of Andorra’s limited transport infrastructure on the development of a project of this scale? For a data centre, transport infrastructure is not a critical factor. The key priorities are power availability, security, and the resilience and redundancy of interconnected data centres through which data can be distributed and managed. Physical accessibility is not a primary requirement. However, regulatory flexibility to facilitate the import of expertise from neighbouring countries, as well as the use of local talent in Andorra, is important. These professionals would be permanent resources dedicated to the data centre operations. What makes the development of data centres and IT technologies a strategic priority for national growth? AI is the new gold and oil. Any country seeking to participate in the new digital economy must contribute to and integrate into the AI infrastructure ecosystem. The benefits of AI participation become evident once such systems are implemented, including economic diversification and the ability to serve customers across different jurisdictions based on their regulatory preferences. Are you currently evaluating opportunities in other European markets as well? There are always other markets under consideration, and currently Central Europe is part of our focus. However, each market has its own unique characteristics and positioning. This does not imply competing priorities, but rather different use cases and strategic opportunities across regions.The post We will be pleased to support the development of an AI data centre in Andorra, said Dr. Tariq Jbarah, CEO of OCTOPiAN first appeared on All PYRENEES.