Russian Energy Ministry discusses payment by data centers for maximum grid capacity

MOSCOW. March 16 (Interfax) - The Energy Ministry has held a meeting on the development of infrastructure for data centers, during which the issue of transitioning large miners to paying for electricity transmission services through grids based on maximum capacity was discussed, the ministry said.

"Transitioning large consumers to paying for electricity transmission services based on maximum capacity were considered," it said.

"The initiative aims to reduce the level of construction of unclaimed capacity and stimulate energy-intensive consumers to responsibly plan the stages of load build-up and the required maximum capacity," the ministry said, citing the meeting's participants.

In addition, potential sites for the location of data centers were discussed.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak previously presented Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin with a proposal on submitting a draft resolution providing for data centers and miners, as well as consumers over 670 kW in technologically isolated electricity systems, to switch to paying for transmission services based on declared maximum capacity. A positive resolution was received regarding the letter, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax. The Kommersant newspaper said that the implementation of this initiative is planned for 2027.