- The growing demand for energy is putting pressure on the Spanish electricity grid.
- Spain DC warns of need for massive investments in electrical infrastructure.
- Data centers are moving toward the exclusive use of renewable energy.
- Flexibility and modernization of the electrical grid are key for the future.
At a time when digitalization and large data centers are booming, the capacity of the Spanish power grid is under scrutiny. According to the Spanish Association of Data Centers (Spain DC), led by Manuel Gimenez, the current electrical infrastructure The country's 20th-century power plant is in urgent need of modernization to support the growing energy demands of data centers.
During a debate entitled "Green energy is key for data centers," several industry experts agreed on the need to make significant investments, at least six times more than what has been invested in the last 15 years, to ensure the growth of this industry.
Challenges and opportunities for energy integration
One of the highlights was the necessary transition towards renewable energiesFrancisco Vicente, head of data centers at PDS Spain at JLL, said that there is a "neutral data center pact," a commitment by the sector to operate exclusively with 100% renewable energy in the near future. However, this path to carbon neutrality is not without challenges, especially in terms of access and reliability of current infrastructures.
experts like Sergio Plato, from Iberdrola, stressed that Spain has an advantageous position due to its high penetration of renewable energy. This puts the country in an ideal position to lead the sustainable energy supply for data centers.
David Fernández, director of AWS data centers in Aragon, added his optimistic view by highlighting that they are already running More than 500 renewable energy projects, of which 79 are located in Spain. In addition, he highlighted that since its opening in November 2022, the AWS centers in Aragon operate with an equivalent of 100% renewable energy.
The role of flexibility in the electricity grid
In addition to investment, another critical point is the power grid flexibilityAccording to Juan José Alba, Endesa's director of regulation, it is crucial to build more electrical infrastructure, but also to learn how to use more efficiently what is already available. This includes medium and long term plans, as well as regulating flexibility to adapt electrical demand to the needs of data centers.
The National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has also intervened in this debate, proposing measures to make network access for new projects more transparent and agile. This includes requiring network operators to publish updated information on available access capacity.
Economic and social impact of data center development
The development of this industry in Spain is not only a technological opportunity, but also an economic one. Marta Castro, from the Association of Electric Energy Companies (Aelec), highlighted that the integration of data centres into the network could generate a Annual turnover increase of up to 700 million euros for distributors. This would allow electricity tolls to be reduced in a range between 1,5% and 2%, directly benefiting consumers.
Furthermore, it is estimated that this energy modernization could attract new industrial investments to the country, creating employment and improving competitiveness in key sectors.
The transition towards a more efficient and sustainable energy model, led by data centers, poses technical and financial challenges, but also marks a historic opportunity to consolidate Spain as a benchmark in digital innovation and renewable energies.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.