Spain to tighten data-centre regulations ahead of November election

Spain's minority left-leaning administration plans to adopt a decree that tightens water and electricity regulations for upcoming data-centre developments, aiming to curb the sector's resource consumption. Oscar Lopez, the Digital Transformation Minister, said the decree can be enacted without a vote in parliament and that ministries are still reviewing input from a public consultation. The government seeks to balance investment from firms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, largely concentrated in Aragon, with environmental concerns.

Both tech giants have affirmed that their Aragon plans are still on track, while urging Spain to ensure predictable legal conditions for long-term investment. The move comes as the country prepares for an early parliamentary election on November 29.