Spain's Galician Supercomputing Center to Deploy First IQM Quantum Computers in Landmark Deal

Spain's Galician Supercomputing Center Forges Quantum Computing Partnership with IQM and Telefónica January 2, 2026 In a significant move to bolster Spain's position in next-generation computing, the Galician Supercomputing Center (CESGA) has entered a strategic agreement with quantum hardware leader IQM Quantum Computers and telecommunications giant Telefónica. The partnership, announced this week, will see the deployment of two IQM quantum systems at CESGA's facilities by June 2026, marking the first installation of IQM's technology in the country. The deal underscores the growing integration of quantum computing into traditional high-performance computing (HPC) ecosystems as research institutions and nations race to build practical capabilities. Quantum computers, which leverage quantum mechanical phenomena, hold the potential to solve complex problems in fields like drug discovery, materials science, and cryptography far beyond the reach of even the most powerful classical supercomputers. Under the agreement, IQM will deliver and install a 54-qubit IQM Radiance system alongside a smaller, 5-qubit IQM Spark machine. These systems are designed to complement CESGA's forthcoming Finisterrae IV supercomputer, a classical system expected to deliver 20 petaflops of compute power. The co-location aims to facilitate early experimentation with hybrid quantum-classical computing workflows, a critical step toward practical quantum advantage. "Delivering production-grade quantum infrastructure into real HPC environments is central to IQM’s mission," said Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal, chief commercial officer of IQM. She noted that the deployment at CESGA supports "the development of a practical quantum ecosystem in Spain," enabling researchers and industry users to begin meaningful work. Sergio Sánchez, director of operations, network, and IT at Telefónica España, emphasized the strategic importance of the technology, stating, "Quantum computing will become an important pillar of future digital infrastructure." He added that the collaboration helps "bring advanced computing capabilities closer to researchers and enterprises, while supporting Spain’s position in next-generation technologies." The initiative positions the Galician region and Spain within a competitive European and global quantum landscape. By providing local access to state-of-the-art quantum hardware, CESGA aims to accelerate skill development, attract research talent, and foster industry partnerships, potentially catalyzing innovation across the Spanish scientific and technological sectors. Source: datacenterdynamics