Spain Installs IQM Quantum Systems for HPC Infrastructure - Data Centre Magazine
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Spain’s Galician Supercomputing Centre (CESGA) confirms the installation of its first quantum computing systems by June 2026 through a partnership with IQM Quantum Computers and global telecoms group Telefónica. The project marks the first deployment of IQM systems in Spain and positions CESGA among European innovators integrating quantum computing into HPC infrastructure. IQM delivers two full-stack quantum systems to CESGA – the 54-qubit IQM Radiance and the 5-qubit IQM Spark. The Radiance platform is engineered for high-performance environments, while Spark supports education and entry-level quantum development. Both systems enable integration with CESGA’s hybrid computing infrastructure, alongside its next-generation supercomputer and expanded data storage capabilities. The installation supports CESGA’s wider plan to build a national platform for hybrid computing. The Radiance system offers high-capacity quantum processing through 54 qubits or quantum bits, which store information in quantum states rather than binary bits. This model supports quantum-HPC workflows where complex calculations move between quantum and classical systems. The Spark system delivers a 5-qubit capacity, designed for training, skills development and quantum software testing. CESGA confirms both platforms are open to users from scientific, educational and commercial sectors. As part of the wider infrastructure upgrade, CESGA is preparing to bring its Finisterrae IV supercomputer online. Finisterrae IV provides large-scale processing power for HPC and AI workloads. Integrated alongside the new quantum systems, it allows the development of hybrid applications combining quantum algorithms with AI models and traditional HPC tasks. The centre also expands its data storage capabilities to support this infrastructure. The large-scale storage facility supports long-term access to complex datasets and enables real-time analysis of quantum and AI workflows. Together, these elements position CESGA as a national data and compute hub with access to next-generation quantum technology. Telefónica contributes to the deployment by bringing experience in digital infrastructure projects. As Spain’s largest telecommunications provider, Telefónica’s involvement in the delivery of the IQM systems reflects its wider strategy in emerging computing technologies. IQM’s Chief Commercial Officer Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal says: "Delivering production-grade quantum infrastructure into real HPC environments is central to IQM’s mission. “By deploying our systems at CESGA, we are supporting the development of a practical quantum ecosystem in Spain and enabling researchers and industry users to begin meaningful experimentation with hybrid quantum-classical computing." Telefónica positions its involvement as part of wider national investment in future compute capacity. Sergio Sánchez, CTIO Telefónica España says: "Quantum computing will become an important pillar of future digital infrastructure. “Through this collaboration with IQM and CESGA, Telefónica is helping bring advanced computing capabilities closer to researchers and enterprises, while supporting Spain’s position in next-generation technologies." The project mirrors similar developments across Europe, where data centres are starting to add quantum systems to existing HPC infrastructure. IQM already works with Germany’s Jülich Supercomputing Centre, CSC in Finland and Italian research hubs. CESGA’s integration of IQM’s systems marks Spain’s entry into this ecosystem, offering shared access to researchers, developers and businesses seeking to test quantum workflows. CESGA confirms the dual systems allow practical access to quantum capabilities, from education to industry. With Radiance focused on higher-capacity quantum calculations and Spark aimed at learning and experimentation, the installation covers the spectrum of quantum users. The systems support research in physics, engineering, data science and more, with an emphasis on integration rather than isolated computing. This hybrid setup supports use cases where quantum computing handles specific parts of a workflow – such as optimisation problems – while conventional systems manage larger simulations or machine learning models. By embedding quantum capacity within an operational HPC centre, CESGA gives Spanish institutions a pathway to explore quantum applications within existing digital infrastructure. The combination of IQM systems, Finisterrae IV and the expanded storage facility offers a complete hybrid environment for developing quantum-classical models. The centre confirms that industry users can access the system for development and testing, supporting early-stage commercial use of quantum technologies. Education institutions will also be able to use the Spark system for teaching, software development and foundational research in quantum programming. With this installation, CESGA’s role within the European research landscape is stronger and accelerates the adoption of quantum computing infrastructure in Spain. As the first IQM deployment in the country, it positions CESGA at the forefront of European innovation, by combining quantum and HPC capabilities.
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