Politics · Spain · 3 hrs ago
Spain's economy ministry secured changes to proposed data centre rules
Spain’s Economy Ministry secured changes to a proposed data centre decree being prepared by the government.
The rules were drawn up by the Ecological Transition Ministry, led by Sara Aagesen, while Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo pressed for more flexibility.
The proposed rules include a requirement for data centres to show that at least 80% of their electricity comes from renewable sources, measured hour by hour.
The Economy Ministry’s changes extended deadlines and eased energy requirements, including a five-year transition option for some facilities that adjust their electricity use when the grid is under strain.
The government also agreed that major future changes to the decree must first get approval from an economic policy committee chaired by Cuerpo.
The data centre industry says about €70 billion in investment is at stake, while the rules aim to limit the facilities’ impact on energy use.
The decree was discussed by Spain’s Council of State, but the text does not say when it will be approved or take effect.
Spain’s Economy Ministry secured seven concessions that softened proposed rules for data centres, according to El Mundo.
The changes eased requirements mainly related to energy use and renewable power.
Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo will have a key role in future major revisions to the rules.
The proposed rules drew 632 objections in two weeks.
Industry group Spain DC says about €70 billion in investment is at stake.
- Who
- Spain’s Economy Ministry, led by Carlos Cuerpo, secured changes from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition.
- What
- The government softened proposed rules for data centres, including some energy requirements.
- When
- The draft was presented in August 2026; the State Council debated it on 5 November, according to the article.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- The changes were intended to make the data centre sector viable and address concerns about the rules’ economic effects.
Spain’s Economy Ministry
Ministry for the Ecological Transition
Energy requirements
Spain’s Economy Ministry
Economy sought more flexible requirements, including a longer period to link data centres to new renewable plants.
Ministry for the Ecological Transition
The draft set energy requirements, including an hourly test that at least 80% of electricity consumed be renewable.
Future rule changes
Spain’s Economy Ministry
Economy secured a requirement for prior agreement from the Government Delegated Commission for Economic Affairs on major updates.
Ministry for the Ecological Transition
The article does not state the Ecological Transition Ministry’s position on this arrangement.
The Ecological Transition Ministry presented a preliminary draft of the rules.
The proposed rules received 632 objections.
The State Council debated the decree, according to the article.
- Concessions
- Seven
- Objections
- 632 in two weeks
- Renewable-energy link period
- Extended from 18 to 36 months
- Green-power contracts
- Minimum term reduced from 10 to 6 years
- Investment at stake
- About €70 billion, according to Spain DC
What people are saying
revisar el impacto económico y presupuestario por los costes de adaptación de los proyectos públicos ya iniciados