Spain plans to tighten rules for data centers
The Spanish government plans to introduce stricter water, energy and cybersecurity requirements for data centers. The new rules have been included in a draft decree that is due to be put out for public consultation this week. Channel NewsAsia, which published a Reuters report, cited government sources.
Data and cybersecurity requirements
Under the draft decree, data center operators must be established in the European Union. The data and metadata they process must remain in the EU. Mechanisms to control access to data from third countries are also envisaged.
Stricter requirements are proposed for facilities handling data from government institutions or information related to national security.
Renewable energy conditions
Water and energy requirements must meet the highest efficiency level set out in the sustainability labeling for data centers that the EU is developing. Spanish authorities also plan to apply renewable energy rules to data centers similar to those in force for the production of “green” hydrogen.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Renewable sources must cover at least 80% of data centers’ energy supply every hour. Every new megawatt of capacity used must be matched by one new megawatt of installed renewable capacity commissioned within 18 months before the facility begins operating. This requirement can be met through long-term contracts or the installation of local energy facilities.
Failure to comply with the rules may result in sanctions, including the loss of the right to connect to the power grid. The rules will apply to facilities with a capacity of more than one megawatt that are not yet connected to the grid. Projects already undergoing permitting procedures will have six months to meet the requirements or relinquish their right to connection without sanctions.
Spain is attracting artificial intelligence infrastructure projects worth tens of billions of euros thanks to substantial volumes of renewable energy and large areas of unused land.
