Basque Quantum & IBM Partner To Advance Quantum Research
Developing Euskadi into a Basque Quantum (BasQ) hub.
BasQ
Action plan Baseq wants Euskadi to lead quantum tech. With Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa Provincial Councils and the Basque Government's Department of Science, Universities, and Innovation, BasQ advances quantum technology. BasQ uses Euskadi's high-performance computing and quantum technology to lead quantum. Develop a globally networked ecosystem with critical mass in research, talent, and innovation to attract the top researchers and create significant economic opportunities.
Principal Goals and Dimensions
The BasQ strategy is multifaceted and has particular goals.
Crucial Goals
BassQ prioritizes four areas:
Participating in cutting-edge ventures can help progress quantum technology in several ways.
Utility: Applying quantum computing to global issues like materials, energy, climate change, personalized medicine, and security.
Developing Euskadi's highly skilled workforce and ensuring global quantum computing talent flow.
Promoting new economic opportunities and societal benefit by advancing quantum technology integration and exploitation across corporate sectors.
Triple Dimensions
Three+1 supports the strategy's three primary pillars:
Quantum Research Community Basque (01): This group advances basic knowledge and real-world applications through cutting-edge basic and applied research in a local-global setting.
Basque Quantum TALENT Academy (02): Developing quantum research talent, teaching professionals, and setting a global standard for education, training, and finding talent.
Basque Quantum Innovation District (03): stimulating innovation in Southern Europe, fostering a quantum technology-based economy, and fostering new businesses and projects.
Construction of a high-quality quantum computing system is essential.
Partnership with IBM
Infrastructure uses BasQ-IBM's 2023 partnership. This collaboration promotes quantum computing commercialization in industry, academia, science, and society. Integrating these technologies into area academics and business boosts innovation, establishes a quantum computer ecosystem, and improves quantum research. This will prepare the economy.
First IBM Quantum System in Europe
IBM has its latest quantum systems at IBM-Euskadi. Biggest part is IBM Quantum System 2, due in 2025. IBM's most powerful networked quantum computer, will be installed and commissioned at the centre's new Ikerbasque facility in Donostia (San Sebastian), in the fourth quarter of 2025.
This new IBM Quantum System Two in Europe is a turning moment for the continent. This will be IBM's sixth quantum supercomputer, joining those in the US, Japan, Germany, Canada, and South Korea. System power comes from IBM's most advanced quantum processor, the 156-qubit Quantum Heron.
To simulate quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations, researchers can use the Qiskit software stack and utility-scale algorithms that outperform standard simulation methods. From October 15, 2025, this system will strengthen the Basque commercial network and scientific-technology system using technology.
Group Work
Many BasQ-IBM collaborations include Joint Research Agreements in optimisation, materials science, and quantum machine learning, as well as Education and Workforce Development.
Workshops, specialized challenges, and practical training sessions in the Road to Utility and Road to Practitioner Programs help build a robust talent pool. By upskilling staff and providing access to the quantum system, innovation-focused activities help businesses generate business-driven solutions. With over 20 business, scientific, and academic partners, BasQ
Participation and Governance
BasQ Inter-Institutional Coordination Committee is led by our Science, Universities, and Innovation Counsellor. This commission includes Science, Universities, Innovation, Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Health, Treasury and Finance, Governance, Public Innovation, and Self-Government. It also comprises the BasQ Director (who has voice but no voting authority) and Provincial Council Deputies for Economic Promotion or Development and Innovation from Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and Araba.
The internal quantum ecology relies on BasQ Advocates as representatives and facilitators. Community development depends on their duties:
Sharing quantum technology knowledge.
Helping others, mentoring, and sharing information.
Preparing suitable courses and activities to spread knowledge.
Establishing collaborations to strengthen the quantum community.
Industry Partnerships and Uses
BaseQ promotes quantum technology in real-world applications, especially through large public-private partnerships. To illustrate, consider the contract with Iberdrola España, the Spanish part of Iberdrola. Iberdrola España joins the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Centre to access the sophisticated IBM Quantum System Two.
The Basque government Department of Science, Universities, and Innovation and Iberdrola España are collaborating to explore quantum computing in the energy sector. Route optimisation, grid topologies, and battery placement are being studied.
Better weather prediction, modeling cutting-edge materials, and faster energy-saving algorithms are all being investigated. By collaborating, the Basque Government hopes to make BasQ a European leader in scientific research, industry applications, and quantum science talent development. Artificial intelligence, revolutionary materials modeling, and innovative medical diagnostics and therapies will be researched using the infrastructure.
BasQ connects top infrastructure, talent development, and public-private partnerships to position the Basque Autonomous Community to lead Europe in quantum innovation. Knowledge creation and skilled workers will increase.
