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ARTICLE · 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

How Spain’s Draft Data Center Rules Could Transform Digital Infrastructure Investment

A&O Shearman
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Spain's draft Royal Decree introduces stringent energy sustainability, environmental, resilience and digital sovereignty requirements for data centers, including renewable additionality, hourly correlation, and efficiency standards. The regulation applies to all access and connection permits obtained after entry into force, with specific compliance deadlines for projects in progress and those with granted permits not yet connected to the grid.

SpainEnergy and Natural Resources
David Diez Marcos
David Diez Marcos
Charles Poole-Warren
Charles Poole-Warren
Vanessa Cuellas
Vanessa Cuellas
Ignacio Hornedo
Ignacio Hornedo
Santiago de Vicente
Santiago de Vicente
Thomas Wilkinson
Thomas Wilkinson
Mario Garcia
Mario Garcia
Emilio Martínez
Emilio Martínez
Javier González
Javier González
+1 more
Author LinkedIn connections

The Spanish government has published for public consultation a Draft Royal Decree establishing energy sustainability, environmental, resilience and digital sovereignty requirements applicable to data centers.

The regulation, enacted under Royal Decree-Law 7/2026, imposes new requirements relating to renewable additionality, hourly correlation, energy and water efficiency, and digital sovereignty in respect of all access and connection permits obtained from the entry into force of the Royal Decree.

Permits currently being processed, and permits already granted for installations that are not yet connected to the grid, will have specific deadlines for compliance with the new requirements. The consequences in the event of non-compliance include the imposition of economic surcharges and/or the loss of access and connection permits.

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