The Government should have a law on the criteria for data centers ready soon, regulating the country’s interests and the use of energy or water, explained today the Minister for the Environment and Energy.
In a meeting with journalists, Maria da Graça Carvalho said that the decree-law that will regulate the installation of data centers in the country (which will not be like the legislation on the same topic approved in Spain), should be ready later this year.
According to the minister, part of the document is being prepared by the Ministry of State Reform, namely regarding the country’s interests from the point of view of the digital transition, about jobs, the contribution to GDP or the wealth it produces.
In the Ministry for the Environment the part dealing with grid connection costs or the availability of renewable energy and whether that energy is produced is being prepared.
Maria da Graça Carvalho explained that it is not necessary for companies to produce the energy themselves, but they will have to use renewable energy.
The decree, the minister added, also contemplates restrictions regarding water, or other technology that may be used. In the case of water use, that water must be available.
And for the project to move forward it will also have to have a positive Environmental Impact Assessment.
Several countries have already approved or are preparing legislation on rules for data centers, essential for the development of artificial intelligence, but they are large consumers of energy and water.
