Summary Under the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), Greece would be required to designate one or more Single Information Points to assist data centre operators with all authorisations within designated data centre acceleration zones, as mandated by Article 12. This administrative support is paired with Article 13, which obliges Member States to issue an aggregated baseline permit covering zone-level authorisations while explicitly excluding installation-specific permits. Crucially, Greece may integrate these new functions with the existing Single Information Point established under Regulation (EU) 2024/1309 (the Gigabit Infrastructure Act) to leverage existing digital access and dispute settlement mechanisms, rather than building a new administrative silo.

Detail

The proposed Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA), COM(2026) 502 final, introduces a harmonised EU framework designed to accelerate the deployment of data centres by dismantling regulatory fragmentation and reducing administrative delays. For Greece, as for all Member States, the core mechanisms for this permitting reform are located in Title III of the proposal, specifically Articles 12 and 13. These provisions establish a dual-layer approach: a centralised administrative support function (the Single Information Point) and a pre-approved regulatory envelope (the Aggregated Baseline Permit).

This framework is not merely a suggestion but a binding obligation for Member States once the regulation is adopted. It aims to shift the permitting paradigm from reactive, project-by-project approvals to proactive, zone-based planning, ensuring that data centre growth in Greece is sustainable, grid-compatible, and administratively efficient.

The Single Information Point (Article 12)

Article 12 of the CADA proposal imposes a clear obligation on Member States to designate one or more single information points specifically for data centre operators deploying projects within designated data centre acceleration zones. The primary function of these points is to provide comprehensive, holistic assistance to operators throughout the entire lifecycle of the data centre project regarding all authorisations required for deployment.

Key Obligations and Functions: The Single Information Point acts as a "one-stop-shop" for administrative navigation. Its duties include coordinating, facilitating, monitoring, and sharing information on procedures related to:

  • Spatial planning and building permits: Guiding operators through zoning and construction authorisations.
  • Environmental assessments: Assisting with assessments in accordance with the forthcoming Regulation on speeding-up environmental assessments.
  • Resource authorisations: Managing permits for water abstraction, wastewater discharge, and heat utilisation and recovery.
  • Compliance: Ensuring adherence to applicable administrative and reporting obligations.
  • Public engagement: Facilitating information dissemination to the public to increase acceptance of the data centre project.
  • Utility connections: Assisting with applications for connection to electricity, heat, or communications networks, or other relevant networks.

Furthermore, the Single Information Point plays a strategic role by assisting in assessing whether a data centre project may qualify as a strategic project under Article 14 of CADA. This assessment is critical, as strategic projects may unlock additional support measures and prioritised permitting.

SME Protection: Recognising that smaller operators often lack the administrative capacity of large hyperscalers, Article 12(4) mandates that when providing administrative support, the Single Information Point must pay particular attention to SMEs. Where appropriate, Member States must establish a dedicated channel for communication with SMEs to provide tailored guidance and respond to queries related to the implementation of the Regulation.

Interaction with Existing Infrastructure (Regulation (EU) 2024/1309): A critical efficiency feature of the proposal is its compatibility with existing digital infrastructure frameworks. Article 12(1) explicitly states that Member States may designate for this purpose a single information point already established under Regulation (EU) 2024/1309 (the Gigabit Infrastructure Act).

If Greece chooses this path, the functions, procedures, and mechanisms applicable to the Gigabit single information pointβ€”including those relating to digital access, administrative coordination, and dispute settlementβ€”shall also apply to the CADA Single Information Point. This allows for the reuse of established administrative structures, potentially reducing the setup burden for Greek authorities while ensuring a unified point of contact for both network connectivity and data centre deployment projects.

The Aggregated Baseline Permit (Article 13)

While the Single Information Point provides administrative guidance, Article 13 addresses the substantive permitting process through the concept of an "aggregated baseline permit." This mechanism is designed to eliminate redundant environmental and planning assessments for each individual data centre built within a pre-approved zone.

Key Mechanisms:

  • Zone-Level Pre-Approval: For each designated acceleration zone, Member States must prepare and issue an aggregated baseline permit authorising the deployment of data centres in that specific zone. This permit covers the permits and administrative authorisations required for data centre projects located within the acceleration zone, excluding installation-specific permits.
  • Pre-Completion of Assessments: Before issuing the aggregated baseline permit, Member States must carry out all necessary procedures and assessments, including any relevant environmental assessments, planning procedures, and evaluations applicable at the level of the acceleration zone. This means that zone-level environmental impacts (such as cumulative energy demand, regional traffic, or water usage) are assessed once, rather than per project.
  • Limited Additional Permitting: Data centres deployed in acceleration zones are required to obtain additional permits only for activities falling outside the aggregated baseline permit. This significantly reduces the scope of individual project approvals, focusing regulatory scrutiny on site-specific nuances rather than repeating zone-wide analyses.
  • 12-Month Cap: Article 13(5) sets a strict time limit for the permit-granting procedure for data centre projects deployed in data centre acceleration zones. The procedure shall not exceed 12 months from the moment a comprehensive application has been submitted. Member States may set shorter time limits, but cannot exceed this 12-month maximum.
  • Highest National Significance: Where such a status exists in national law, data centre projects in acceleration zones must be allocated the status of highest national significance and treated as such in permit-granting processes. This paragraph applies only where such status exists in national law and does not create an obligation for Member States to introduce such status if it does not already exist.

Strategic Context for Greece

For Greece, these provisions offer a pathway to align national permitting processes with EU-wide standards while leveraging existing digital infrastructure investments. The ability to leverage the existing Single Information Point under Regulation (EU) 2024/1309 is particularly relevant for Greece, which is actively expanding its digital infrastructure connectivity under the Gigabit Infrastructure Act. By integrating CADA obligations into the Gigabit framework, Greek authorities can create a streamlined interface for operators seeking to deploy data centres in designated acceleration zones, ensuring that network connectivity and data centre deployment are coordinated administratively.

Furthermore, the requirement to issue aggregated baseline permits encourages Greece to proactively plan for data centre clusters. This shifts the regulatory burden from reactive, project-by-project approvals to proactive, zone-based planning. This is critical for addressing grid capacity and environmental concerns at a regional level, ensuring that data centre growth is sustainable and integrated with national energy and spatial planning strategies.

What this means for you

For CTOs, architects, and SMEs evaluating data centre deployment in Greece, the CADA proposal introduces significant changes to the permitting landscape, provided it is adopted in its current form.

1. Centralised Administrative Contact You will no longer need to navigate multiple disparate authorities for initial guidance. The Single Information Point designated by Greece will serve as your primary contact for all authorisation-related queries. If Greece integrates this with the Gigabit Infrastructure Act's Single Information Point, you may benefit from a more mature, digital-first administrative interface. Ensure you engage with this point early in the project lifecycle to leverage its assistance with spatial planning, environmental assessments, and grid connection applications.

2. Reduced Permitting Scope via Baseline Permits When deploying in a designated acceleration zone, much of the environmental and planning approval will be pre-handled by the aggregated baseline permit. Your permitting effort will focus primarily on installation-specific aspects that fall outside the zone-level pre-approvals. This should significantly reduce the time and cost associated with obtaining initial authorisations. However, you must still submit a comprehensive application, which triggers the 12-month maximum permit-granting period.

3. SME-Specific Support If you are an SME, Article 12 mandates that the Single Information Point pays particular attention to your needs. Greece must establish a dedicated channel for SME communication. Use this channel to seek tailored guidance on compliance and procedural requirements. This is a statutory obligation designed to lower barriers to entry for smaller operators.

4. Strategic Project Assessment The Single Information Point will assist in assessing whether your project qualifies as a strategic project under Article 14. Strategic projects may receive additional support and prioritisation. Engage with the Single Information Point early to understand if your project's sustainability features, innovation, or contribution to grid stability could qualify it for this status.

5. Grid and Network Coordination The Single Information Point will assist with applications for connection to electricity, heat, and communications networks. This integration is crucial for ensuring that your data centre's physical deployment is synchronised with necessary utility connections, reducing delays caused by separate, uncoordinated application processes.

Common misconceptions

Misconception 1: The Single Information Point grants permits. Correction: The Single Information Point provides assistance, coordination, and information sharing. It does not have the authority to grant permits. The actual permitting decisions remain with the relevant national, regional, or local authorities. The Single Information Point facilitates the process but does not replace the decision-making bodies.

Misconception 2: The Aggregated Baseline Permit eliminates all permitting requirements. Correction: The aggregated baseline permit covers zone-level authorisations, such as cumulative environmental impacts and regional planning. It explicitly excludes installation-specific permits. You will still need to obtain permits for activities that are unique to your specific data centre installation and fall outside the scope of the baseline permit.

Misconception 3: The 12-month permit timeline applies to the entire project lifecycle. Correction: The 12-month limit in Article 13(5) applies specifically to the permit-granting procedure for data centre projects deployed in acceleration zones, starting from the submission of a comprehensive application. It does not cover the entire project lifecycle, including construction, commissioning, or pre-application feasibility studies.

Misconception 4: Greece must create a brand new Single Information Point from scratch. Correction: Article 12(1) allows Member States to designate a single information point established under Regulation (EU) 2024/1309. Greece can choose to upgrade or integrate with the existing Gigabit single information point, leveraging its existing functions for digital access, administrative coordination, and dispute settlement. This is not a mandatory requirement to build a new entity, but an option to reuse existing infrastructure.

Misconception 5: All data centre projects in Greece will benefit from these measures. Correction: These provisions apply specifically to data centre projects deployed in designated data centre acceleration zones. Projects outside these zones may not benefit from the aggregated baseline permit or the specific streamlined procedures outlined in Articles 12 and 13. The benefits are tied to the location of the deployment.

Related

This is general information about a draft EU regulation, not legal advice.