CADA tracker · source extraction
Article 14
Designation of data centre strategic projects
1. The Commission may, by means of a decision, designate as strategic projects, data
centre projects selected through open calls for expressions of interest that fulfil at
least two of the following criteria:
(a) the project establishes and operates infrastructure that directly supports and
enhances essential public sector functions, including research and education,
healthcare, public safety and security;
(b) the project includes highly sustainable or innovative features, including
technologies and solutions developed under Title II;
(c) the project contributes to the security, safety, and stability of the electricity grid
and contributes to the electricity system needs as evaluated by the relevant
system operator, in particular for projects involving the colocation of large
clean energy generation and storage facilities;
(d) the project supports the integration of chips, processors and accelerators,
servers or quantum computers designed and/or manufactured in the Union into
data centre systems or data centre facility management, thereby strengthening
the Union semiconductor, quantum and data centre supply chains and
contributing to the objectives of this Regulation and of Regulation (EU)
2023/1781;
(e) the project addresses a major shortage of compute capacity in an area identified
as having such a shortage under Article 15 and contributes significantly to the
growth, development and promotion of the local economy.
2. In its proposal, the applicant shall provide all the necessary and relevant information
to demonstrate that the project fulfils the relevant criteria.
3. The duration of the designation as a strategic project shall be based on the predicted
lifetime of the project. The applicant shall include in the proposal the information
necessary to substantiate the predicted lifetime of the project, on the basis of which
the duration of the designation as strategic project shall be determined.
4. Where the Commission finds that a project designated as a strategic project no longer
fulfils the relevant criteria, or where its designation was based on an application
containing incorrect information affecting compliance with those criteria, it may
withdraw the designation of that project by means of a decision. Projects for which
the designation as a strategic project has been withdrawn shall lose all rights
connected to that status under this Regulation.
Chapter III
Monitoring