Begoña Villacís, the former Deputy Mayor of Madrid, has been appointed as the new executive director of Spain DC, the Spanish Data Center Association. Officially taking the helm on February 3, 2024, her selection is viewed as pivotal for advancing the data center sector during a time of rapid growth and transformation.
Villacís, who holds a law degree from the Universidad San Pablo-CEU, has had extensive experience in both politics and the private sector. Between 2015 and 2023, she was affiliated with Ciudadanos, serving as the party's spokesperson on Madrid's City Council and later as the city’s Deputy Mayor. After her political tenure, she worked as the Global Director of Institutional Relations for BeDisruptive before stepping away during the company's financial troubles.
The president of Spain DC, Emilio Díaz, expressed confidence in Villacís's capabilities, stating, "She will help strengthen relationships with public administrations and make the importance of these infrastructures known to the public." Her leadership is seen as timely, as the industry is poised to expand significantly, with projections estimating investments of up to €58 billion ($63 billion) by 2030, potentially increasing the sector’s installed capacity sixfold.
Villacís inherits the position from Manuel Giménez, who has guided Spain DC since its inception, and she is tasked with addressing pressing challenges within the industry. Notably, the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) is advocating for regulatory measures requiring data centers to disclose detailed information about their energy and water consumption. This push for transparency arises from concerns about the environmental impact of data centers, which often consume large amounts of energy and generate significant heat.
"Never before has Spain been so well positioned to create a strong, modern, and sustainable industry," Villacís emphasized, underscoring the country's readiness to become a leading hub for data centers, not just domestically but across Southern Europe. Spain DC, which has grown to include about 200 members, provides representation for major players such as Amazon and Microsoft.
Villacís's approach to her new role includes fostering public-private collaborations and advocating for policies beneficial to the data center industry. She recognizes the need for continuous dialogue to bridge concerns between tech advancement and public interest, saying, "It is absolutely strategic and critically important for our country." Her dual emphasis on technology and community engagement reflects her broader mission to demystify data centers for the public.
The appointment of Villacís is also significant within the broader discourse of digital transformation and the societal role of technology. With the rapid rise of digital applications and artificial intelligence, data centers have found themselves at the forefront of this technological revolution, becoming integral to the infrastructure needed for various industries. Villacís aims to facilitate public discussions aimed at elevative awareness and education about these facilities.
While she prepares for her new role, Villacís acknowledges existing fears and misconceptions surrounding data centers. With her strong background as both an advocate and practitioner, she believes the solution lies largely within broad-based education: "I think the most important thing is digital literacy; training helps to understand the risks and dispel often unfounded fears."
Her commitment to enhancing female representation within the STEM fields is another hallmark of her leadership style. Promoting women’s contributions to technology is not only beneficial for the industry but also serves as inspiration for future generations. She encourages more women to engage with tech fields and actively participates in initiatives supporting female role models.
Looking to the future, Villacís envisions extensive collaboration with various stakeholders to build upon Spain's burgeoning data center sector. Her comprehensive strategy will serve to strengthen not only the industry's position but also its future sustainability amid growing demands for green technologies and practices.
Spain’s data center sector is undeniably at a crossroads, with immense opportunities for growth, innovation, and enhanced public engagement. Under the guidance of Begoña Villacís, stakeholders and the public can anticipate meaningful advancements and increased awareness of the invaluable role they play. Her leadership signifies not just change within Spain DC but also hopes for fostering responsible and informed approaches to technology use throughout society.