Bilbao will be home to one of the largest science facilities on the European Union Roadmap of Large Science Facilities in the next few decades. The agreement between Spain and Sweden, pledging their commitment to a common project, will be carried out as a unique candidacy with two locations, the headquarters in Lund (Sweden) and a Sub Headquarters in Bilbao (Spain). This will provide Bilbao with an important science facility that will boost the scientific and technological capacity of the Basque Country.

Spain will receive the vice chair of the Governing Council of the European Spallation Neutron Source (ESS) and 10% ownership.
The Bilbao's office, which complement the main ESS Headquarters, will be operative by 2011 and will employ 80 people. The investment in the Bilbao Sub Headquarters is forecast to amount to 180 million euros.