Microsoft announced a large investment in Sines, Portugal, in partnership with Start Campus, including the installation of more than 12,000 next-generation Nvidia GPUs with operations scheduled to begin in early 2026. The project is part of Portugal's National Data Center Plan (PNCD), which aims to accelerate the sector's development by reducing licensing barriers and providing pre-zoned land with approved planning and grid connections. The partnership leverages Portugal's new regulatory framework, which designates AICEP as the single point of contact for investors and sets maximum licensing deadlines to provide predictability for project timelines. The Sines data center is expected to support Microsoft's infrastructure strategy in Europe, aligning with the country's push to attract major international hyperscale operators during 2026 and 2027.