Proposed 80% rule could slow Spain's data centres

Spain's proposed 80% renewable power rule could slow the growth of data centres: that is Endesa's warning as the government sends its draft to the Council of State. At a briefing on the energy company's results for the first nine months of 2026, executive José Casas said the latest changes still leave barriers to investment.

The sticking point is a requirement to match data centres' electricity use with renewable power hour by hour, at a rate of 80%. The revised proposal gives operators up to five years to meet that target. Casas said the extra time helps, but does not go far enough.

He also warned that data centres would have to join an automatic power-reduction system, known as SRAP. That could leave them disconnected from the grid without compensation, he said.

The rules would not directly affect Endesa, Casas said. But he argued that slower data-centre development could mean less investment in electricity generation and networks. He also sees the sector as a source of jobs and growth in renewable energy and artificial intelligence.

Casas wants Spain's 2025–2030 electricity network plan approved; it still needs to pass through parliament. He also urged progress on capacity-market auctions, which are intended to encourage investment in technology that keeps electricity supply reliable and flexible. He expects the first of those auctions probably before 2027.

Topics: Environment · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com