Spain’s government is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for data centers as part of efforts to attract tens of billions of euros in artificial intelligence-related infrastructure projects.
The draft decree, set to be submitted for public consultation this week, would apply to facilities with more than 1 megawatt of generation capacity that are not yet connected to the grid. Projects already in the licensing process would have six months to comply or forfeit their grid connection rights without penalty.
Under the proposed rules, data center operators must be established within the European Union, and all data and metadata processed must remain within EU jurisdiction. The framework includes enhanced controls on third-country access and stricter provisions for facilities handling data related to public entities or national security.
Energy and water efficiency standards would align with the highest tier of a sustainability label currently under development by the EU. Renewable energy requirements mandate that at least 80% of a facility’s energy supply must come from renewable sources during every operating hour. Additionally, each new megawatt of energy consumed must be matched by a new megawatt of renewable energy capacity installed within the 18 months prior to operations, either through long-term contracts or on-site installations.
Non-compliance would trigger sanctions, including the potential loss of grid connection rights. The measures reflect Spain’s broader push to position itself as a leading European hub for AI and high-performance computing, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources and available land.
The government has not disclosed specific penalties or enforcement timelines beyond the six-month compliance window for existing projects.
