Bill Gates and Spanish Utilities Meet in Madrid to Discuss Data Center Energy Challenges
DATA AND AI INFRASTRUCTURE
Bill Gates met with executives from major Spanish utilities in Madrid to discuss the energy challenges associated with Microsoft's planned €20 billion investment in data centers in Spain and Portugal. The discussions centered on the state of electrical networks and regulatory initiatives, including the European Grids Package, amid increasing scrutiny from the Spanish government and the EU regarding data center impacts on electrical stability and costs. The meeting underscored the importance of accountability in energy consumption for data center developers.

Jan 20, 2026, 5:45 PM