EU AI Supercomputing Soars: MareNostrum 5’s Major Upgrade

Europe’s Advancement in AI Infrastructure Strengthens with MareNostrum 5 Supercomputer Upgrade

Europe is making significant strides in enhancing its artificial intelligence capabilities through a major procurement contract signed to upgrade the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer.

The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) has finalized the agreement with a consortium led by FSAS Technologies and Telefónica, marking a pivotal moment in the transformation of one of Europe’s leading supercomputers.

Located at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), MareNostrum 5 plays a crucial role in the BSC AI Factory initiative.

With the contract now in effect, the project is entering a new phase that will reconfigure the system into a specialized platform for cutting-edge AI research and innovation.

Transitioning from Supercomputing Powerhouse to AI Specialist

Since April 2025, the BSC AI Factory has been assisting European startups and small to medium-sized enterprises in accessing AI-friendly data, high-performance computing resources, and expert technical guidance.

The upgrade of MareNostrum 5 aims to directly support this mission by transforming the system from a general-purpose supercomputer to an AI-optimized environment capable of handling complex workloads.

The enhanced MareNostrum 5 will incorporate next-generation graphics processing units tailored for large-scale machine learning, along with specialized acceleration hardware for deep learning, natural language processing, and advanced simulations.

Advanced interconnect technologies will facilitate swift data movement across the system, while expanded storage capacity will enable efficient handling of large datasets.

Energy-efficient cooling solutions will also be implemented to ensure sustainability as computational demands increase.

Facilitating Innovation Across Diverse Sectors

While the upgraded MareNostrum 5 will primarily cater to startups and SMEs engaged in research and innovation, it will remain accessible to the broader scientific community.

Resource allocation will be jointly overseen by EuroHPC JU and the BSC AI Factory consortium, reflecting their financial contributions and strategic goals.

The system is expected to benefit various sectors including healthcare, climate science, agriculture, finance, energy, communications, legal services, and the public sector.

By providing customized AI infrastructure, the project aims to lower barriers for smaller organizations lacking access to extensive computing resources.

Timeline for Installation and Funding Framework

The installation of the upgraded MareNostrum 5 is set to commence in early 2026. The overall budget for the BSC AI Factory project amounts to approximately €129 million, covering acquisition, delivery, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

Funding is evenly split between EuroHPC JU and participating national partners, with half of the investment sourced from the Digital Europe Programme and the remaining 50% jointly financed by Spain, Portugal, and Türkiye as part of the BSC AI Factory consortium.

Integration into a Growing European AI Network

The BSC AI Factory serves as a key component within an expanding European network. EuroHPC JU is currently overseeing the establishment of 19 AI factories across Europe, all offering tailored support to startups and SMEs.

This network is further strengthened by the selection of 13 AI Factory Antennas in October 2025, extending its reach and impact.

With the ongoing upgrade of MareNostrum 5, Europe affirms its commitment to staying competitive in the global AI landscape by combining top-notch supercomputing capabilities with accessible innovation infrastructure.