The Ministry of Digital Development plans to legally allow data centers (DCs) to connect to the main power grid. In this way, the authorities want to increase the reliability of power supply for them and reduce the financial costs of business. The fact is that data centers play an important role in the digital economy of Russia.
According to the Energy Strategy, electricity consumption in Russia will increase by 42% by 2050 compared to 2023. This is due to the growth in the number of data centers and the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies. The authorities want to ensure the technological connection of such facilities to power grids. The Ministry of Digital Development has been working on the corresponding bill since 2022.
Connecting data centers to main grids is possible now, but in practice it is difficult even in large cities. Experts emphasize that it is important to create regulatory conditions that will regulate this process.
A significant part of the expenses of data centers are the costs of electricity, and connecting to the Unified National Energy Network will allow them to receive electricity at lower tariffs.
Experts emphasize that the adoption of the bill (in 2022 it was adopted in the State Duma in the first reading) could be an important step in the development of Russia's digital infrastructure.
Read more on the topic:
IT Companies Face Power Shortages in Russia
Key Rate Hike Threatens Data Center Construction in Russia
Rosatom Launches Powerful Data Center in Nizhny Novgorod Region