CADA tracker · source extraction
Article 13
Facilitating administrative and permit-granting processes
1. Data centre projects deployed in acceleration zones shall be considered as strategic
projects within the meaning of Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2026/XXX [on
speeding-up environmental assessments] and shall benefit from the toolbox set out in
the Annex to that Regulation.
2. For each designated acceleration zone, Member States shall prepare and issue an
aggregated baseline permit authorising the deployment of data centres in that
acceleration zone. This aggregated baseline permit shall cover the permits and
administrative authorisations required for the data centre projects located within the
acceleration zone, excluding installation-specific permits.
3. Before issuing the aggregated baseline permit referred to in paragraph 2, Member
States shall carry out all necessary procedures and assessments, including any
relevant environmental assessments, planning procedures and evaluations applicable
at the level of the acceleration zone.
4. Data centres deployed in acceleration zones shall be required to obtain additional
permits only for activities falling outside the aggregated baseline permit referred to
in paragraph 2.
5. Member States shall ensure that administrative applications related to the planning,
construction and the operation of data centre deployed in acceleration zones are
processed in an efficient, transparent and timely manner. The permit-granting
procedure for data centre projects deployed in data centre acceleration zones shall not
exceed 12 months, from the moment a comprehensive application has been
submitted. The time limit shall be without prejudice to any shorter time limits set by
Member States. Where such a status exists in national law, data centre projects shall
be allocated the status of highest national significance possible and be treated as such
in permit-granting processes. This paragraph shall apply only where such status
exists in national law and shall not create an obligation for Member States to
introduce such status.
Chapter II
Strategic projects
SECTION 1
DESIGNATION OF DATA CENTRE STRATEGIC PROJECTS