The Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, announced today a significant investment of 23.5 million euros aimed at improving the connectivity of the observatories on the island of La Palma, during his visit to the Astrophysics Institute of the Canary Islands. This measure is part of the ongoing efforts of the Spanish Government to provide the Canary Islands with advanced digital infrastructures as part of the digital transformation.
López emphasized the importance of the Roque de los Muchachos and Teide Observatories, which stand out as some of the top three in the field of astrophysics worldwide. The minister stressed that a robust and reliable connection is essential to carry out the research activities that take place there. The announced investment will be specifically allocated to the installation of a high-performance optical network, which will provide the necessary technological redundancy to ensure the uninterrupted operation of these research centers.
Funded through the European funds Next Generation EU, the investment is part of the Spanish Government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The installation of cables, both submarine and terrestrial, is planned, ensuring permanent and high-quality connectivity for the observatories.
The development of these infrastructures will not only help boost astrophysical research in the Canary Islands but also strengthen the archipelago’s position as an international reference in science and technology. Thanks to this improvement in connectivity, researchers will be able to access data and resources more efficiently, representing a crucial step in modernizing the region’s technological capabilities and aligning with the innovation and development goals proposed by the Government.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
