Data centers, which have become the real protagonists of electricity consumption in Spain. Although the manufacturing and process industry remains the largest traditional energy demander, the rapid growth of the digital economy places data centers at the center of the energy debate, with an increasingly visible impact on the national electricity grid.

How much do data centers consume in Spain?

In 2024, the IT capacity installed in data centers in Spain reached around 355 MW, with Madrid concentrating around 55 % of all national capacity. This positions the capital as a digital hub of reference in southern Europe, with a high concentration of electricity consumption that requires responsible and sustainable energy strategies.

Data centers consume so much energy because:

Its servers operate 24/7, without interruption.
They require intensive air conditioning and cooling systems to avoid overheating.
They need redundant and auxiliary infrastructures to ensure continuity of service.

This operating model makes data centers one of the most electricity-intensive sectors and a strategic challenge for energy sustainability.

Immediate challenges for data centers in Spain

Data centers in Spain must urgently address several energy challenges:

Reduce PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness), improving the overall efficiency of your facilities.
Integrate renewable energies into its electricity supply to move towards decarbonization.
Optimize cooling with innovative technologies such as free cooling or liquid cooling.
Comply with European and national regulations, which will require transparency in the reporting of energy and water consumption.

Opportunities for a sustainable future

Despite their high consumption, data centers also offer great opportunities to lead the energy transition:

Reuse of waste heat for district heating and industrial processes.
Green energy PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) to guarantee a renewable and stable electricity supply.
Electricity demand management, participating in flexibility programs that alleviate pressure on the grid.

Thanks to these solutions, data centers in Spain can become an example of energy efficiency and sustainability in the technology sector.

And what about the rest of the energy-intensive sectors?

Although data centers are currently the focus of much of the interest, we should not forget that the manufacturing and process industry continues to be the country's largest energy consumer. Sectors such as food, metallurgy, chemicals, steel and cement together consume more than a third of the country's electricity.

Meanwhile, transport and logistics are beginning to increase their share of electricity consumption with the electrification of fleets and warehouse automation.

This context shows that, although there are several large energy consumers in Spain, it is the data centers that are setting the new trend and leading the debate on the future of energy.

How does GRUPO TREBOL ENERGIA help data centers?

GRUPO TREBOL ENERGIA works with large consumers and offers specific solutions for the data center sector:

Energy audits and monitoring to detect inefficiencies in real time.
PPA contracts with renewable energies, ensuring a 100% green and competitive supply.
Energy efficiency strategies that reduce PUE and optimize cooling processes.
Regulatory and strategic advice, anticipating the regulatory requirements that will affect the sector.

Data centers are the major players in energy consumption in Spain, and their role will be decisive in the transition to a more efficient and sustainable model. In GRUPO TREBOL ENERGIA we put our experience at the service of this sector to help it grow responsibly, optimizing consumption and ensuring a more competitive and green future.