Portugal is introducing stricter environmental regulations for data centers, mandating non-freshwater cooling systems and 100% renewable energy sourcing.
The upcoming rules arrive as the country oversees billions in infrastructure expansion, including major AI-backed projects like Start Campus.
Under the new provisions, data centers will be required to either use cooling technologies that do not rely on fresh water or to utilize alternative water supply sources that do not conflict with the needs of the general population and local activities. At the same time, it is mandatory to operate them exclusively with renewable energy, which operators can purchase from utility companies, taking advantage of Portugal's potential in solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
The country is emerging as a major European hub for such infrastructure, with projects totaling more than 2,6 gigawatts under development. Leading this effort is the 1,2 gigawatt Start Campus project in Sines, which is supported by Microsoft’s investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Of the six buildings planned for the project, the first is already operating, powered by renewable energy and using seawater cooling.
Global reactions from environmental organizations and local communities to the high energy and water consumption of data centers intensify the need for these new rules.
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