The logo of Meta Platforms' business group is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
(Reuters) - Facebook owner Meta Platforms has rented Spanish real estate firm Merlin Properties' data centres, newspaper Cinco Dias reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified sources in the technology sector.
Merlin mainly owns and rents offices, shopping malls and logistics centres, but last year started a new data centres business, following the big artificial intelligence push in data warehousing.
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Merlin declined to comment on any deal with Meta.
Merlin said in November it had invested 246 million euros ($266.42 million) on data centres and it was planning a further capital expenditure of 146 million euros between last year's fourth quarter and 2024.
Spain is a good location for data centres thanks to the underwater cable connecting Europe with the other continents. Additionally, clients demand green energy sources to power the centres and dozen of energy projects are currently in development in Spain.
($1 = 0.9234 euros)
(Reporting by Matteo Allievi, Editing by Louise Heavens)
