Israel Caps New Data Centers at 200 MW After 27 GW of Grid Requests

Israel, Oct. 19 — Israel's Electricity Authority on Sunday published the outline of new grid-connection rules that cap each new data center at 200 MW, after system operator Noga received requests totaling about 27,000 MW, roughly three times the country's average consumption.

The Technical Details

The authority will allocate another 1,000 MW to large data centers on top of about 2,000 MW already approved. The combined 3,000 MW equals about 20% of projected 2030 national consumption, according to Calcalist. The regulator had frozen responses to connection requests while it drafted the rules.

To deter speculative reservations and resale of approvals, developers must post guarantees of NIS 2 million per MW requested. Sites must also accept backup arrangements that let the grid disconnect them during extreme demand. The full decision goes to a three-week public consultation.

• Per-site cap: 200 MW
• Connection requests at Noga: ~27,000 MW
• Already approved: ~2,000 MW
• New allocation: 1,000 MW