Spain has taken a major step in national computing infrastructure with the installation of IQM Quantum Computers systems at CESGA, the Galician Supercomputing Centre. The deployment, delivered in partnership with IQM and telecommunications leader Telefónica, brings both a high-capacity processor and a development-oriented device to Spain’s research and industry communities.
Spain’s Quantum Leap: CESGA Integrates IQM Systems
CESGA now hosts IQM’s Radiance 54-qubit system alongside a Spark 5-qubit unit. The Radiance 54-qubit machine targets medium-scale quantum workloads and algorithm prototyping, while the Spark 5-qubit system is intended for education, developer access, and early application testing. Telefónica participated as the connectivity and integration partner, supporting secure network links and operational readiness at the data centre site.
Powering Hybrid Computing and AI Workflows
Both IQM devices are configured to work with CESGA’s Finisterrae IV supercomputer, creating a hybrid quantum-classical environment. Researchers will be able to run quantum circuits on IQM hardware and couple results with classical HPC tasks on Finisterrae IV for optimization, simulation, and machine learning pipelines. Typical use cases include quantum-assisted optimisation, variational quantum algorithms for AI model training, and materials or chemistry simulations that mix quantum subroutines with large-scale classical data processing.
A Strategic Move for Spanish Innovation
This deployment signals a national push to build practical quantum-AI capabilities. Beyond research labs, universities and startups gain local, low-latency access to quantum devices for curriculum and prototype development. Industry partners can evaluate quantum-enhanced workflows before committing to larger investments. On the European stage, Spain strengthens its role within the continent’s quantum ecosystem by offering operational quantum systems linked to regional HPC resources, reducing barriers to hybrid experimentation.
Access policies at CESGA are expected to cover academic programs, collaborative projects and commercial arrangements, giving a wide range of users a path to test quantum-classical solutions. Combining quantum processors with classical supercomputers positions Spain to explore next-generation AI methods while building operational experience that will guide future national and regional compute strategies.
