Better conditions for innovation in startups, SMEs, public administration and scientific research.

Europe takes a decisive step in strengthening its supercomputing capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) with an expansion contract of MareNostrum 5 supercomputer, signed by European Joint Undertaking for High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC JU), at the end of 2025.

This project represents a total investment of 129 million euros intended for acquisition, delivery, installation and maintenance of the system, hosted and operated by Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). The financing is guaranteed in 50% by EuroHPC JUbeing the The remainder is divided between Spain, Portugal, and Türkiye., within the scope of the BSC AI Factory project.

THE Portugal's participation is ensured by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), with the participation of the National Center for Advanced Computing (CNCA) and the support from Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

THE new configuration of MareNostrum 5 will integrate state-of-the-art technology, including hardware Accelerated Machine Learning, language models,complex simulation tasks and other AI applicationsIt will also include High-speed interconnections, increased data storage capacity, and energy-efficient cooling solutions..

This update will have impact on research development in key sectors such as health, climate and agriculture, energy, communications and media, and the public sector.

The contract, signed with a consortium led by FSAS Technologies that includes Telefonica, constitutes a A significant step towards transforming MareNostrum 5 into a benchmark for advanced AI innovation.This project strengthens European supercomputing capabilities in this strategic domain, to startupsSMEs, public administration and the scientific community.

THE installation of the updated system will take place first half of 2026, with final acceptance in June.

Of the current 12 supercomputers co-financed by the European partnership EuroHPC JU, Portugal hosts Deucalion, located on the Azurém campus of the University of Minho in Guimarães.The resources of this platform are managed by the FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology), and it is technically operated by the National Center for Advanced Computing. Deucalion has already hosted over 350 projects and 1,000 users..

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