The Basque Government and IBM announce the installation of Europe's first ‘IBM Quantum System Two’ at the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center in the Basque Country

• ‘IBM Quantum System Two’ will feature a 156-qubit IBM Quantum Heron processor, designed to reach the utility scale
• The installation of the IBM Quantum System Two at the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center is expected to be completed by the end of 2025
• Imanol Pradales, President of the Basque Country, and Eider Mendoza, Deputy General of Gipuzkoa, made the announcement together with Jay Gambetta, Vice-President of the IBM Quantum, during their visit to the IBM Thomas J Watson Research Center in New York

The Basque Government and IBM announced today their plan to install Europe's first IBM Quantum System Two at the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center, located on the main campus of the Ikerbasque Foundation in Donostia. This project is part of the BasQ initiative, launched in 2023, with the aim of consolidating the Basque Country as a leading technological hub. The initial plan was to install an IBM Quantum System One, but following an update to the agreement, it has been decided to deploy IBM's most advanced modular quantum system, the IBM Quantum System Two, which is scheduled to be installed by the end of 2025.

The IBM Quantum System Two, which will be managed by IBM, will be powered by the IBM Quantum Heron processor, the company's most efficient processor to date. Designed to be scalable and to be able to integrate multiple processors in the future, this system will allow algorithms to be run at utility scale, outperforming classical brute-force simulation methods. Thanks to the Qiskit software, it will be able to run certain types of quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations.

This installation reinforces IBM's commitment to the expansion of the European quantum ecosystem and will provide academic researchers, research labs and industries in the State with access to cutting-edge technology capabilities. Members of the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center will use this system to help build a quantum workforce, promote economic growth, and develop new algorithms with practical applications aligned with the Basque Government's IKUR 2030 strategy for the development of quantum technologies. Applications include modelling new materials and research into the role of quantum computing in sustainability initiatives.

"With this scientific infrastructure, the Basque Country will be positioned as a global benchmark in quantum computing. This technology will be key to addressing digital transformation and providing us with a cutting-edge scientific infrastructure that will strengthen our scientific, technological and innovative ecosystem. IBM Quantum System Two will be an essential tool for the Basque Network for Science, Technology and Innovation to generate cutting-edge knowledge, implement highly specialized higher education programs and for the Basque public and industrial sector to be prepared for the impact of quantum computing in the coming years. The arrival of this system will be a great opportunity for the economic and social development of the Basque Country, and will enable us to cooperate with other regions, countries and actors in the development of this technology", said the President of the Basque Country, Imanol Pradales, accompanied by the Deputy General of Gipuzkoa, Eider Mendoza.

"The IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center's dedicated IBM Quantum System Two will give Spain's quantum community—researchers, developers and industry experts—unprecedented access to our most advanced quantum technology. These tools will enable the development of algorithms that will drive the quantum ecosystem and bring us closer to achieving a quantum advantage in the next two years," said Jay Gambetta, Vice-President of IBM Quantum.

About the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center

The IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computational Center was announced in 2023 to promote the use of advanced technology across all the Basque Country Government and the General Councils of Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. Its mission is to further elevate research institutions by expanding international research collaborations, conducting world-class fundamental research and increasing the quantum-trained talent in the region.

The center will provide the computational infrastructure necessary for Basque Government researchers and their partners to achieve these goals. IBM and the Basque Government are also collaborating to develop workforce programs aimed at building world-class talent in quantum computing, both in the Basque Country and in the rest of Spain. These programs seek to raise awareness, educate and develop skills through the development of immersive and integrated learning experiences.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI and consulting expertise. Today, it helps clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to address their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's groundbreaking innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting services offer open and flexible options. All of this is backed by IBM's commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and service. 

About Ikerbasque

In 2007, the Basque Government created Ikerbasque with the aim of strengthening the Basque Country scientific system by attracting, recovering and retaining researchers from all over the world. The Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science is a consolidated organization with 373 researchers from 35 different countries, from all areas of knowledge, currently working in 25 partner institutions.