Vigo's SPARC photonic chip plant secures €6.25 million Spanish grant

The SPARC project in Vigo is building a photonic semiconductor plant with a total investment of €110 million, combining private capital, public subsidies and loans. The Spanish government has approved a new €6.25 million grant under the EU Regional Incentives fund, which will unlock an additional €56.8 million of financing and support the creation of 90 new jobs while preserving existing positions.

The plant will become Spain’s only photonic chip factory and one of only three such facilities in Europe. Delegates including Government Representative in Galicia Pedro Blanco, Mayor Abel Caballero, State Delegate David Regades and Deputy Mayor Elena Espinosa visited the SPARC offices, where they were received by project technology director Francisco Soares. Public funding already totals €31 million, with €17.2 million from the Spanish State via the SETT, nearly €12 million in subsidies and €3 million from Vigo Activo, while private investors such as INDRA have contributed about €20 million.