Spain's government faces backlash over data centre rules

The Spanish Government wants to regulate the proliferation of data centres amid an investment boom, but faces criticism from regional authorities and tech companies who see it as a brake on investment and a set of unworkable requirements.

## The battle over renewable energy

The Government has set its sights on data centres. The idea is that they consume at least **80% renewable energy**. To make sure this is met, it has tasked **Red Eléctrica** (Spain's grid operator) with a monthly audit. If that percentage is not reached, penalties will apply to the bill. The industry association, however, questions why the burden of driving new renewable generation should fall on them.

## Regions up in arms

The measure has gone down particularly badly in some autonomous communities. **Aragon**, **Extremadura** and **Madrid**, regions that concentrate much of the data centre investment by giants such as **Amazon**, **Microsoft** or **Blackstone**, see the decree as a possible brake on investment and a risk of industrial flight. They even speak of requirements that are impossible to meet.

## Electricity, a headache

Behind this regulation there seems to be a antiestéticar of another rise in electricity prices. In the middle of an energy crisis, the proliferation of these high-consumption facilities could put pressure on the electricity market. The Government is trying to bring order to a booming business.