Making Euskadi a Basque Quantum (BasQ) global quantum hub.
BasQ
Initiative strategy Basque Quantum (BasQ) wants Euskadi to lead quantum technologies. BasQ works with Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa Provincial Councils and the Basque Government’s Department of Science, Universities, and Innovation to advance quantum technology. Euskadi’s high-performance computing and quantum technology strengths are used in the BasQ Strategy to become a quantum leader. This entails developing an ecosystem with critical mass in research, talent, and innovation that is globally interconnected, acts as a strong draw for the best researchers in the world, and creates substantial business prospects.
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Strategic Dimensions and Core Objectives
The BasQ strategy is complex, structured along three important dimensions, and characterised by specific goals.
Core Objectives
BasQ concentrates on four key areas:
- Scientific Discovery: By actively participating in cutting-edge initiatives, one can actively contribute to scientific advances in a variety of quantum technology domains.
- Useful Applications: Expanding the practical use of quantum computing to address significant worldwide concerns, such as those pertaining to materials, energy, climate change, personalised medicine, and security.
- Talent Development: Making Euskadi a resource for highly skilled people and guaranteeing the flow of global talent in the field of quantum computing technologies.
- Corporate Opportunities: Promoting new economic opportunities and creating societal benefit by accelerating the integration and exploitation of quantum technologies across a range of corporate sectors.
The 3+1 Dimensions
The three main pillars of the strategy are supported by a fundamental dimension (3+1):
- Basque Quantum RESEARCH Community (01): Working within a context of local-global cooperation, this group is dedicated to advancing both basic knowledge and real-world applications through state-of-the-art basic and applied research.
- Basque Quantum TALENT Academy (02): Committed to developing talent for quantum research, educating professionals, and setting a global standard for education, training, and attracting talent.
- Basque Quantum INNOVATION District (03): aimed at promoting innovation throughout Southern Europe, propelling a quantum technology-based economy, and serving as a vital hub for the establishment of new companies and projects.
- Infrastructure (4): Setting up a top-notch quantum computing system is the fundamental component.
The Strategic Partnership with IBM
The strategic alliance between BasQ and IBM, which was established by a collaboration agreement signed in 2023, is essential to the infrastructure component. The goal of this collaboration is to hasten the advancement and uptake of quantum computing in the fields of industry, academia, science, and society. By incorporating these technologies into regional academics and business, the primary goals are to promote creativity in the area, generate a strong ecosystem for quantum computing, and improve quantum research and development. This will lay the groundwork for future economic growth.
Europe’s First IBM Quantum System Two
The IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Centre houses IBM’s latest quantum systems. The centrepiece is IBM Quantum System 2, expected to launch around 2025. The centre, which is housed in the brand-new Ikerbasque building in Donostia (San Sebastian), is scheduled to install and commission this system, which IBM refers to as the most potent networked quantum computer in the world, during the final quarter of 2025.
Being the first IBM Quantum System Two in Europe, this facility is a significant turning point for the continent. It will become the sixth quantum supercomputer in IBM’s small global network, which already includes installations in the US and Japan and is also functioning alongside those in Germany, Canada, and South Korea. A 156-qubit IBM Quantum Heron processor, IBM’s most sophisticated quantum processor to date, will power the system.
Researchers can run quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations using the system, which is designed to run utility-scale algorithms that outperform traditional simulation techniques using the Qiskit software stack. On October 15, 2025, this system will be inaugurated, launching a technological infrastructure to fortify the Basque commercial network and scientific-technology system.
Collaborative Activities
Cooperative Research Activities (using Joint Research Agreements in fields including optimisation, materials science, and quantum machine learning) and Education and Workforce Development Activities are only a few of the many cooperative ventures between BasQ and IBM.
The Road to Utility and Road to Practitioner Programs’ planned learning pathways, in addition to workshops, specialised challenges, and practical training sessions designed to create a strong talent pool, are important workforce development activities. Additionally, innovation-focused activities are encouraged to help enterprises create innovative, business-driven solutions by upskilling personnel and facilitating access to the specialised quantum system. BasQ now has over 20 business, scientific, and academic partners.
Governance and Community Engagement
The Science, Universities, and Innovation Counsellor leads the BasQ Inter-Institutional Coordination Committee. This broad committee includes Science, Universities, Innovation, Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Health, Treasury and Finance, Governance, Public Innovation, and Self-Government. It also includes the Director of BasQ (who attends with voice but no voting powers) and Deputies for Economic Promotion or Development and Innovation from the Provincial Councils of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and Araba.
The community members who are BasQ Advocates play an essential role in fostering the internal quantum ecosystem as representatives and facilitators. Their duties are essential to promoting community development and include:
- Raising awareness by teaching others about quantum technologies.
- Sharing knowledge, mentoring, and assisting other community members.
- Spreading knowledge through helping to plan relevant courses and activities.
- Establishing connections to foster partnerships and fortify the quantum community as a whole.
Uses and Industry Collaborations
BasQ strongly encourages the use of quantum technology in real-world applications, particularly through significant public-private collaborations. The contract signed with Iberdrola España, the Spanish division of Iberdrola, is a prime example. As a result of this collaboration, Iberdrola España gains access to the advanced IBM Quantum System Two by joining the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Centre.
Iberdrola España and the Department of Science, Universities and Innovation of the Basque government have partnered to do research on the use of quantum computing in the energy sector. Grid topologies, battery placement on the grid, and route optimisation are among the research topics being investigated.
Additional possible uses under investigation include enhancing weather prediction, modelling cutting-edge materials, and speeding up energy-saving algorithms. This collaboration demonstrates the Basque Government’s plan within BasQ to position the area as a European leader in scientific research, industrial applications, and quantum science talent development. Utilizing the infrastructure to further research in fields like artificial intelligence, novel materials modelling, and innovative medical diagnostics and treatments is the aim.
BasQ is putting the Basque Autonomous Community in a position to lead Europe in quantum innovation by combining top-notch infrastructure, focused talent development initiatives, and cooperative public-private partnerships. This will encourage knowledge creation and draw in highly skilled workers.
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