Spain Proposes Stricter Data Centre Regulations: 80% Renewables by Hour or No Grid Connection
Spain has drafted a decree with ambitious data centre sustainability requirements, demanding new centres source at least 80% of their electricity from renewables every hour of operation. Non-compliance results in the loss of grid connection.
This stricter stance contrasts with Brussels’ previous guidance to Big Tech on aligning data centres (164news.com's guide to data centres) with climate goals without specific enforcement mechanisms. Denmark has already taken a similar approach by outright pausing grid connections for non-renewable data centre operations.
The key challenge lies in the hourly renewable matching requirement, which is technically demanding as opposed to the easier annual matching method. The decree also mandates:
- Commissioning of renewable installations within 18 months before operation, achieved through contracts or local construction.
- EU establishment and European data residency for operators, with heightened data protection for public bodies and national security data.
- Compliance with the highest sustainability label currently being developed by the EU, reflecting Spain’s commitment to water conservation in light of recent drought restrictions.
The scope includes data centres above one megawatt not yet connected to the grid. Projects already in permitting will have six months to comply, without compensation. This proposal significantly targets American hyperscalers who have recently expanded in Spain, as it directly addresses data residency and sustainability concerns.