Romania comes into competition with Austria, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. Stakes of 20 billion euros in ai

Six European states have applied for a stake of 20 billion euros, allocated through the Investi program. In the game there are 3-5 of the European Gigafactories, supercomputing centers with over 100,000 accelerators each. Romania proposes Black Sea Ai Gigafactory.

Romania is not the only country that wants to host one of the future Gigafacctors of the European Union. Until the deadline of June 21, 2025, five other European states: Austria, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, officially submitted their candidacy for financing that accumulates 20 billion euros, allocated through the Investai program, according to The Compute & Networking Channel.

Invest: the stakes of 20 billion euros

The project announced by the EU in February 2025 aims to build 3-5 clusters of the entire continent, each equipped with over 100,000 specialized chips. These will allow the training of the most complex models in the world. And not only.

The Strategic Initiative of the European Union, launched in February 2025, invests to mobilize 200 billion euros for the development of AI by 2030. Of this total, 20 billion are dedicated exclusively to gigafabrics, supercomputing centers distributed in the EurohpC network.

In the race, the capital of Austria, Vienna, comes with a project oriented towards urban sustainability, integrating the residual energy into the city's district heating network. The Czech Republic a center in Prague-Zbraslav, on the field of Czech Radiocommunications, in a consortium already active in the Data Center area. Spain relies on the already existing infrastructure, the supercomputer Marenostrum 5 in Barcelona, ​​and a candidacy supported by Telefónica and Nvidia. Germany retains its discretion on the location, but comes into play with an industrial consortium led by Hochtief and Ionos. At the same time, the Netherlands, through AI gigafactory.nl, proposes a model based on offshore wind energy and a strong academic ecosystem, supported by the former ASML CEO.

Romania relies on AI Regional, Black Sea AI Gigafactory

In this context, Romania proposes a regional project, Black Sea AI Gigafactory, supported by the World Bank and by partners from Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey. With two proposed locations (Cernavoda and Doicești), Romania aims at positioning as a technological sovereignty and cyber security for Central and Eastern Europe.

The project includes over 100,000 AI accelerators, powered by a sustainable energy mix of up to 1,500 MW and connected to high-speed digital infrastructure, with international opening. Supported by the World Bank and a national consortium of universities, companies and research institutes, the center will serve Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Turkey and other states in the Black Sea region.

“We do not only build a factory, we set up a connected, safe and prepared region for the future. It is about technological sovereignty, cyber security and regional cooperation”said Bogdan Ivan, former Minister of Economy, at the time of the candidacy.

Therefore, Romania relies on the energy advantages (nuclear -free nuclear), the existing digital infrastructure and the experience in the field of cyber security, including by hosting the European Center for Competences (ECCC). The proposal also includes a dedicated legal model (SPV), neutral governance and open access for interested member companies and states.

“We bring 4 billion euros to Romania and we are the strongest in terms of cyber security and technological sovereignty. (…) We submit, perhaps, the most important project for digital infrastructure and for the technological sovereignty not only to Romania, but of the entire region of the Black Sea, namely: Blakesea of ​​Gigafactory It is made together with the best specialists of the World Bank, it brings together universities, the private environment and the countries in the Black Sea region ”said Bogdan Ivan.

According to his statements, it is for the first time that Romania, since the integration into the European Union, has an application of this major at European level. “And this is done in partnership with those from the Republic of Moldova, with those from Ukraine, with Turkey and we intend to take partners and all our neighbors in the Central and Eastern Europe region, and the Center will be here, in Romania“Added Bogdan Ivan.

Diana Nițescu, CEO Top Minds, declares, for the truth, that although the project is still in the intention phase, it has a solid foundation. “For now, cRed is just a project deposit. At the base it has many arguments, including the fact that we have the Cyber ​​Security center. Next is the approval and establishment of the implementation framework, which will bring both advantages and challenges. It is important to remain realistic, both nationally and from the perspective of startup and business ecosystem.“

Diana Nițescu believes that the initiative has the potential to become a European technological landmark. “It is a welcome opportunity. AI now needs clear regulation-and this factory promises exactly this. If it will be well managed, it can generate real economic growth and accelerated internationalization, especially in large cities.”

As for social impact, she sees no risks. “Currently, I do not estimate negative social effects. On the contrary, precisely because it will be a rigorously regulated European initiative, as is the Cyber ​​Security Center, it will bring stability, innovation and collaboration.“She said.

Cities and regions from all over Europe are in line to host the “gigafabrici” of AI data

Vienna believes it has a strong argument to host such a unit. The Local Council has announced that it will collaborate with the Wien Energian Energy Company to reintegrate the residual heat generated by the Data Center in the city's district heating system.

On Friday, local and national politicians officially signed the city's candidacy. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said, quoted by The Compute, Storage & Networking Channel: “By applying for a gigafaric AI in Austria, we demonstrate that we are ready to take responsibility for the digital future of Europe. These projects contribute not only to strengthen our position, but also to increasing technological competitiveness.. (…) “Such projects are essential not only for strengthening our local position, but also for expanding our technological competitiveness. For a sustainable economic recovery, it will be crucial to focus on areas where the location policies and the technologies of the future meet significantly.“

Austria is already hosting more supercomputers, most of the universities. These include Musica, installed at the Technical University of Graz, who is to become operational this year.

“Vienna enjoys a global reputation for its effective infrastructure, quality of life and innovation. A gigafabaric Ai would perfectly complete the existing network and strengthen our position as a European technological hub“Added the mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig.

For his part, the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes a gigafabric in the Zbraslav district of Prague, on a land owned by Czech Radiocommunications (CRA). Which initially planned a 26 MW data center, but if the project is accepted, the capacity could be extended by 77 MW. “We have already prepared the Prague Gateway DC project, one of the most modern in the region, and that's why we are logically involved in this initiative.”said Anna Tůmová, the spokesman of the crayon, according to the quoted source.

In Spain, the Telefónica company coordinates the national candidacy. The Spanish government has established that the center will be built in Mora in Nova, near Tarragona (Catalonia). The project is supported by the Government Economic Office, the Ministry of Digital Transform and the Catalonia Government, writes The Compute, Storage & Networking Channel. According to the same source, among the industrial partners involved are ACS, Masorage, Nvidia, Submer, Multiversal Computing and the Spanish society for technological transformation. In fact, Spain is already hosting one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, Marenostrum 5, located at Barcelona SuperComputing Center.

In Germany, the company Hochtief collaborates with the Cloud Ionos supplier for a common candidacy, in a currently secret location. The project includes a consortium of companies specialized in technology, security and utilities, along with research institutions.

At the same time, in the Netherlands, the Gigafactory.NL group has already submitted a letter of intent. The exact location is not public, but the consortium includes top partners in industry and universities. The project is supported by Peter Wennink, the former CEO of the ASML giant. Han de Groot, the leader of the initiative, wrote on LinkedIn: “We are in the race.”