CADA tracker · source extraction
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Where capacity is being deployed on the territory of Member States, acceleration
zones should be designated where the development, expansion and modernisation of
data centres may be facilitated . The designation of such zones should help address the
Union capacity gap and increase the Union’s competitiveness, autonomy and
technological resilience, while ensuring compliance with applicable Union law,
including requirements relating to energy efficiency and environmental protection.
Sufficient and timely energy supply to the acceleration zones constitutes a
fundamental enabling condition for their effective deployment and for the
development of data centre capacity across the Union. Reliable and accurate
information on future energy demand contributes to cost-effective grid development.
Member States should therefore prepare an analysis for each acceleration zone,
identifying its current and future energy needs. Such analysis should serve the purpose
of providing information for the national grid planning thereby contributing to
purposeful anticipatory grid investments and faster energy connections for the
acceleration zone. When defining the scope, Member States should take into account
the availability of relevant transport and network infrastructure. The results of these
assessments should be reflected in national network development plans to adequately
capture future points of energy demand in upcoming grid planning. To ensure that
acceleration zones enable the right conditions for the deployment of capacity, Member
States should facilitate clear and efficient procedures for grid connection and flexible
connection agreements and should clarify the conditions for grid connection pursuant
to Directive (EU) 2019/944 to data centre operators. An upcoming legal proposal to
future-proof electricity bills in the EU will provide incentives to make an optimal and
cost-effective use of the grid infrastructure and incentivise system-friendly
consumption. Power purchasing agreements (‘PPAs’) are important instruments for
data centres as they provide long-term price stability, while enabling data centre
operators to procure clean electricity at scale, thereby supporting reliable operations
and the transition to a clean energy system. Member States should therefore promote
the uptake of PPAs, also in acceleration zones, by removing unjustified barriers and
disproportionate or discriminatory procedures or charges, with a view to providing
price predictability.