Spain eases proposed green rules for data centers

The Spanish government has relaxed its draft decree on data centers, Reuters reported on October 26, 2026, citing officials from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. The revised version would raise the general threshold for application and give more time to meet certain renewable electricity requirements.

On the same day, La Vanguardia and RTVE reported that the revised proposal had been sent to the Council of State. The decree has not yet been adopted.

In August, the ministry said that access and connection rights totaling more than 12 GW had been granted to data centers since 2021. The industry association Spain DC had warned that the initial requirements risked driving away investment.

The initial proposal covered centers with grid access capacity of 1 MW or more, as well as certain groups of centers. The press reports that the general threshold would rise to 10 MW. Grid access capacity refers to the electrical capacity of the connection, which is distinct from computing power. Media reports differ on the exact treatment of a center at 10 MW. The initial proposal also included separate reporting requirements, notably for centers with computing power of 500 kW or more.

The August text permitted renewable facilities brought online no more than 18 months before the center opened or their energy was first used. According to RTVE, the revised version would extend this period to 36 months before the center enters service. It would also permit older solar plants, provided they do not have a forward renewable electricity purchase agreement when the decree enters into force. These facilities already exist, so using them does not necessarily represent new generation capacity.

The affected centers would still have to demonstrate renewable generation equivalent to at least 80% of their consumption, hour by hour. La Vanguardia and RTVE report that the revised version would include batteries and reduce the minimum duration of purchase agreements from 10 to 6 years.

RTVE and El País also describe a transitional arrangement lasting up to five years to gradually reach the hourly coverage target. In exchange, participating centers would join the automatic power reduction system without compensation. Their power supply could be interrupted if the grid comes under strain. This arrangement is separate from the deadlines provided for certain European projects.

These relaxed rules could make it easier to invest in data centers. The possible use of existing solar plants could also change the timeline for new renewable capacity. The effects on bills and access to electricity remain to be assessed. The Council of State’s opinion and any text eventually adopted will clarify the framework chosen. Connection and generation data, along with any power reductions, will then help assess its effects.