Consultancy E&Y estimates that if the government halts investments in data centres, households could face up to 394 million euros in electricity system costs by 2030.
According to OK Diario, consultancy E&Y estimates that the requirements of the draft royal decree on data centres could transfer between 118 and 642 million euros to other consumers by 2030. Of that amount, between 73 and 394 million would fall on households and small consumers.
The E&Y report indicates that the non-realisation of between 3.5 and 4 GW of demand from data centres could reduce revenues allocated to cover the regulated costs of the system by between 1.1% and 5.7%. According to the consultancy, installations that do not connect leave part of the planned infrastructure unused, and their cost is then spread across the bill.
“The non-realisation of between 3.5 and 4 GW of demand from data centres could leave part of the planned infrastructure underutilised”
The draft royal decree requires these installations to guarantee 80% of their energy from renewables at all times of the day. The government has committed to pushing it forward in the coming weeks, despite the electoral advance.
E&Y estimates that the supply cost for a data centre under this project would be 133.07 euros/MWh by 2030, compared to 55 euros/MWh for future prices. Between 2027 and 2030, the market price would fall by 41% while the cost under the project would rise by 1%.
Of the projects announced in Spain and Portugal, the sector estimates that only 4.4 GW will materialise, and only 1.2 GW are either built or in development. The consultancy estimates the investment at risk to be up to 60 billion euros, out of the 66.9 billion expected.
The comparison with other countries shows that Ireland and Germany require renewables, but none impose hourly correlation like Spain. Ireland measures 80% on an annual balance and Germany accepts guarantees of origin. Portugal, according to the report, integrates sustainability through transparency and reporting, without mandatory matching requirements.
“No EU regulation requires additionality or hourly correlation for data centres”
The text remains in draft form, so the conditions could change before its approval.
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