SAN SEBASTIÁN, Spain – October 2025. According to the analytical publication NEWSCENTRAL, the Ikerbasque research center in the Basque Country has become the site of the first IBM Quantum System Two in Europe. The installation in San Sebastián, as noted by the publication, has cemented the region’s status as one of the key players in the European quantum ecosystem and marked a new phase in IBM’s partnership with the Basque government under the BasQ – Basque Quantum initiative.
As noted by the analytical publication NEWSCENTRAL, the project is seen as one of Europe’s most illustrative steps toward the practical integration of quantum technologies. The Basque Country, historically known for its engineering expertise, is becoming a testing ground for a model in which quantum computing moves from a research environment into industrial applications.
The Quantum System Two is built around IBM’s 156-qubit Heron processor, designed to handle utility-scale algorithms. Its architecture allows for scalable computing power and the integration of multiple processors, forming the foundation for future distributed quantum systems. According to NEWSCENTRAL, this is the second such IBM installation outside the United States and a key step in the company’s development of the European segment of the IBM Quantum Network.
For the Basque government, the project is part of the long-term IKUR 2030 program, aimed at developing applications in energy, biomedicine, industry, and artificial intelligence. Within this strategy, IBM and regional authorities are creating educational programs and research initiatives to train specialists and foster local startups in quantum technologies.
Nathan Clark, Corporate IT and Systems Architecture Analyst at NEWSCENTRAL, notes that IBM-Euskadi is laying the groundwork for next-generation hybrid computing models. According to him, quantum systems will not replace but rather complement existing IT infrastructures, increasing the accuracy and speed of complex process analysis. This approach, in the analyst’s view, could accelerate Europe’s adoption of practical quantum algorithms in corporate systems and scientific computing.
The launch of Quantum System Two in San Sebastián is both a technological and symbolic milestone. The choice of the region as the first site outside the U.S. underscores IBM’s trust in the Basques’ scientific and organizational capabilities. Basque Government President Imanol Pradales emphasized that the development of quantum technologies is part of a strategy for industrial transformation and strengthening the region’s competitiveness within the broader European reindustrialization initiative.
Since the signing of the agreement between IBM and the Basque government in 2023, a consortium has been formed bringing together academic institutions and industrial partners. Research groups are already conducting projects in high-energy physics and materials science. The next stage will involve developing algorithms for industrial applications, including chemical reaction modeling, quantum optimization, and machine learning tasks.
According to NEWSCENTRAL, the success of the IBM-Euskadi center could serve as a model for other European regions seeking to establish their own quantum clusters. The BasQ program demonstrates how the combination of government support, corporate involvement, and an academic base can create an ecosystem capable of independently developing future technologies.
For IBM, this project strengthens its presence in European technology policy and lays the foundation for collaboration with the European Union in quantum innovation. For the Basque Country, it represents an opportunity to move from the status of a regional participant to a platform setting standards for the applied use of quantum systems.
As summarized by NEWS CENTRAL, the installation of IBM Quantum System Two in San Sebastián is a test of Europe’s ability to transition from laboratory experiments to industrial deployment of quantum technologies. The outcome of this project will determine whether the continent becomes an independent player in the quantum economy or remains dependent on external technology centers.