SpainThe Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition has prioritized the regulation of data centers, aiming to approve a royal decree before the general elections on November 29. This regulatory push follows a surge in permitted infrastructure capacity, which is projected to grow from 439 MW in 2025 to approximately 12,000 MW within the next decade. The government intends to cap this growth at around 4,000 MW by imposing strict efficiency standards and renewable energy requirements, measures described as among the most demanding globally. The rapid acceleration of these rules has angered major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, who are accustomed to challenging EU regulations through litigation. Public concern has grown significantly in rural regions like Aragon, Extremadura, Castile and Leon, and Andalusia, where local groups have organized over a hundred talks to highlight the environmental impact of these facilities.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the government's regulatory action as a necessary correction to prevent a 'major legislative error' and highlights citizen activism against corporate power, while characterizing the opposition as powerful giants used to litigation.
