Proprietary data
Data Center Power & Policy in Italy
Every government action on data centers and power in Italy that we have verified: moratoriums, grid rules, incentives, tariffs and plans, with the power indicators that drive site selection.
By Amit Jain
Reviewed by Deepti Agrawal
Updated 18 October 2026
In short
As of 18 October 2026, DC Market Insights tracks 6 government actions on data centers and power in Italy, 5 of them in force. We have found no moratorium or restriction on new data centers in force in Italy.
Market snapshot
Italy power and policy: key facts
- Industrial electricity price: 184 USD/MWh (2025). Rank 4 of 19 tracked countries, highest first.
- Renewable share of electricity generation: 48% (2025). Rank 11 of 30 tracked countries, highest first.
- Grid emission factor: 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2025). Rank 15 of 25 tracked countries, highest first.
- Latest change: Lombardy implementing resolutions DGR 6645 and 6646 for data centers (Regione Lombardia (Regional Government), 3 Aug 2026).
- By type: 4 regulation, 1 power tariff and 1 plan or strategy.
Power indicators for Italy
Latest official figure for each indicator, with earlier years where we have them.
In force now in Italy
Power tariff (1)
DL 21/2026 cut in renewable-support charge (ASOS) for non-domestic users
Decree-Law 21/2026 funds a reduction of the ASOS general system charge (support for renewables) on non-domestic electricity users in 2026, with resources of EUR 431.5 million in 2026; for medium, high and very high voltage users the cut excludes withdrawals under the special tariff regime (Art. 29 DL 91/2014) and firms on the CSEA energy-intensive list. ARERA set it up with deliberation 91/2026/R/eel (24 Mar 2026) and applied it as a negative element A21/26SOS from 1 April 2026 (deliberation 98/2026/R/com).
431.5 EUR million 2026 resources for the ASOS reduction (Art. 3 c. 3 DL 21/2026)
Regulation (4)
Lombardy implementing resolutions DGR 6645 and 6646 for data centers
Two Lombardy regional government resolutions (DGR 6645 and 6646 of 3 August 2026, BURL Serie Ordinaria n. 35 of 28 August 2026) implement Regional Law 11/2026 and the national single procedure: AIA for data centers with combustion plants of 50 MWt up to 300 MWt is handled by the Region through a regional data center desk (DG Ambiente e Clima); 300 MWt and above and national strategic sites stay with the State. Public comments are due within 30 days of the notice of each procedure.
50 MWt lower threshold of regional AIA competence (up to 300 MWt)
MASE first operational guidance on the data center single procedure (PUCD)
The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE, Sustainable Development and Energy departments) published first operational guidance on the single authorization procedure for data center projects (PUCD) under DL 21/2026 Art. 8: the procedure lasts no more than ten months from the completeness check, extendable only in exceptional circumstances by up to three months, and EIA deadlines are halved; applications go to the Directorate-General for Environmental Assessments with proof of VIA and AIA fees. Phase-by-phase timelines are to follow on the VAS-VIA-AIA portal.
Lombardy Regional Law 11/2026 on siting of data centers
Lombardy Regional Law of 3 June 2026 n. 11 'Disposizioni in materia di insediamento di centri dati' (BURL n. 23, 5 June 2026) is the first regional data center law in Italy. It steers new data centers to disused industrial sites, aims to cut soil consumption through territorial equalization and environmental compensation, protects water resources, promotes waste-heat recovery including district heating, and requires siting and expansion to match the capacity of infrastructure networks. AIA competence for data centers moved from provinces to the Region (regional data center desk).
Decree-Law 21/2026 Art. 8: single authorization procedure for data centers
Art. 8 of Decree-Law 20 February 2026 n. 21 (DL Energia / 'DL Bollette', in force 21 Feb 2026, converted by Law 10 April 2026 n. 49) creates a single procedure (procedimento unico) for authorizing the construction and expansion of data centers and their grid connections, built on the integrated environmental authorization (AIA): Regions decide where backup combustion plants total 50 MWt or more and below 300 MWt, the State (MASE) at 300 MWt or more and for data centers of national strategic interest (Art. 13 DL 104/2023). The procedure must end within 10 months of the completeness check (max +3 months in exceptional cases) and VIA deadlines are halved; the decision comes from a conferenza di servizi.
10 months maximum duration of the single procedure from completeness check
Announced and proposed
Measures that are not yet in force. Status changes when the rule takes effect or is withdrawn.
Data center delegation bill (C. 1928-A, passed by the Chamber 24 Feb 2026, now in the Senate)
Unified bill from five Chamber proposals (C. 1928, 2083, 2091, 2152, 2194) delegating the Government to adopt legislative decrees within six months of entry into force on data centers: a legal definition, simplified single procedures with fixed timelines, priority for brownfield and disused industrial or energy sites, qualification of projects as public-utility, urgent works with simplified VIA/AIA, priority criteria for grid access, support for self-generation and storage, and security rules. Approved unanimously by the Chamber of Deputies on 24 Feb 2026 and sent to the Senate on 26 Feb 2026; no Senate approval found.
6 months deadline for the Government's legislative decrees after the law enters into force
Timeline of data center and power policy in Italy
| Date | Action | Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Aug 2026 | Lombardy implementing resolutions DGR 6645 and 6646 for data centers Lombardia | Regulation | In force | Regione Lombardia (Regional Government) |
| 25 Jul 2026 | MASE first operational guidance on the data center single procedure (PUCD) | Regulation | In force | Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) |
| 3 Jun 2026 | Lombardy Regional Law 11/2026 on siting of data centers Lombardia | Regulation | In force | Regione Lombardia (Regional Council) |
| 24 Mar 2026 | DL 21/2026 cut in renewable-support charge (ASOS) for non-domestic users | Power tariff | In force | Government of Italy; ARERA |
| 24 Feb 2026 | Data center delegation bill (C. 1928-A, passed by the Chamber 24 Feb 2026, now in the Senate) | Plan or strategy | Proposed | Parliament of Italy (Chamber of Deputies; Senate) |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Decree-Law 21/2026 Art. 8: single authorization procedure for data centers | Regulation | In force | Government of Italy (Council of Ministers); Parliament (conversion law) |
How Italy compares
Latest official figures for the countries we track.
| Country | Industrial power price | Renewable share | Grid emission factor | Restrictions in force | Incentives in force |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | — | 19.6% (2025) | 0.28 kgCO2/kWh (2022) | 0 | 2 |
| Australia | — | 39% (2025) | — | 0 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | — | 2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Belgium | 183 USD/MWh (2025) | 34.3% (2025) | 0.19 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| Brazil | — | 86.8% (2025) | 0.07 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Canada | — | 63.9% (2024) | 0.10 kgCO2/kWh (2022) | 2 | 0 |
| Chile | — | 66% (2025) | 0.24 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 0 |
| Colombia | — | — | 0.22 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 2 |
| Denmark | 134 USD/MWh (2025) | 81.5% (2024) | 0.11 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 0 |
| Ecuador | — | — | 0.16 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 0 |
| Finland | 58.4 USD/MWh (2025) | 57% (2024) | 0.03 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 0 |
| France | 104 USD/MWh (2025) | 27% (2025) | 0.02 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Germany | 180 USD/MWh (2025) | 58.8% (2025) | 0.34 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 1 | 0 |
| India | 82.1 USD/MWh (2025) | 28.7% (2026) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 5 |
| Indonesia | 62.9 USD/MWh (2024) | 16.3% (2025) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 1 |
| Ireland | 234 USD/MWh (2025) | 41.3% (2024) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 2 | 0 |
| Italy | 184 USD/MWh (2025) | 48% (2025) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 0 |
| Japan | — | 23.1% (2024) | 0.45 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| Kazakhstan | — | 14.6% (2025) | 0.81 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 0 |
| Luxembourg | 165 USD/MWh (2025) | 23.3% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Malaysia | 105 USD/MWh (2026) | 21% (2025) | 0.74 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | — | — | 0.44 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 0 |
| Nepal | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 148 USD/MWh (2025) | 49% (2025) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 4 | 0 |
| Pakistan | 97.5 USD/MWh (2026) | 34.7% (2025) | — | 0 | 1 |
| Peru | — | 62.6% (2025) | — | 0 | 1 |
| Russia | — | 17.6% (2025) | — | 2 | 0 |
| Singapore | 189 USD/MWh (2025) | 2.1% (2024) | 0.40 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| South Korea | — | 9.8% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Sri Lanka | — | 60.2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| Sweden | 78.5 USD/MWh (2025) | — | 0.06 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 120 USD/MWh (2026) | 8.8% (2024) | 0.47 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 234 USD/MWh (2026) | 52.1% (2025) | 0.15 kgCO2/kWh (2026) | 1 | 1 |
| United States | 86.2 USD/MWh (2025) | 24% (2025) | 0.35 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 83.3 USD/MWh (2026) | 19.4% (2025) | — | 1 | 0 |
Questions
Is there a data center moratorium in Italy?
We have found no moratorium or restriction on new data centers in force in Italy as of 18 October 2026. Proposed or announced measures, if any, are listed in the timeline.
What does electricity cost for data centers in Italy?
The industrial electricity price in Italy was 184 USD/MWh in 2025 (Eurostat nrg_pc_205 band ID (2,000-19,999 MWh) excl. taxes and levies: 2025-S1 0.1661 and 2025-S2 0.1587 EUR/kWh, mean 162.4 EUR/MWh x 1.1300 USD/EUR (2025 average, same basis as BE/LU) = 183.5 USD/MWh. 2026-S1 0.1659 EUR/kWh.). Data center contracts can differ by voltage level, contract length and location.
How much of Italy’s electricity is renewable?
Renewables supplied 48% of electricity generation in Italy in 2025.
Where does this data come from?
Each action comes from a page we opened: a law, regulation, gazette notice, ministry or regulator release, grid operator notice or investment agency page, and only when official text is not available a company or trade publication. A second analyst re-opens the source before an item is published. Government sources are linked on the page; all sources come with the Excel data.
What counts as a restriction or moratorium?
A government or grid operator rule that stops, pauses, caps or conditions new data center capacity or grid connections, for a country or a region within it. Proposals are shown as proposed until they take effect.
How are power prices compared?
We use each country’s official statistics for industrial or non-household electricity, converted to US dollars per MWh at the average rate for the year where needed, and show the year and source. Contract prices for data centers can differ.
How often is it updated?
Countries are reviewed on a rolling schedule and changes are added as they are announced. Each item shows the date of the action.
Global capacity
How much data center capacity does Italy have?
Installed capacity in MW (IT load), its share of the region, the largest tracked sites and the outlook to 2035.
Choosing a market or a site?
Our analysts prepare country briefings on power, grid access, incentives and permits, with every source, in Excel.