Data centres: here are the forms and technical specifications needed to begin the authorisation process
The Department for the Environment has published the documentation required to apply for authorisation
Key points
After the initial operational guidelines published last week, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security has made available the forms and technical specifications for submitting applications for authorisation for data centres, as provided for under the single procedure introduced by Article 8 of the latest Energy Bills Decree.
Submitting digital documentation
The technical specifications first of all explain how the technical and administrative documentation submitted with the application is to be transmitted via certified email (PEC): where the total size of the documentation does not exceed 50MB, it must be sent solely via PEC as a single ZIP file attachment; if, however, the 50 MB limit is exceeded, the documents must be delivered in person on a data storage device (portable hard drive or USB stick), accompanied by a printout of the application sent via certified email (PEC). In this case, the application and the relevant documentation must be sent to Mase.
Data protection
The document also clarifies how the data must be stored in the second case. It specifies, amongst other things, that the data must be protected against ‘modification’ and ‘writing’ so as to ensure that the file’s contents cannot be altered. Furthermore, for each file contained on the storage device, a range of information must be provided, including the name of the document and that of the submitter.
The elements to include
Equally detailed guidelines are also set out regarding the submission of administrative documentation, which must be organised into specific folders and must include, as already clarified in the operational guidelines published last week, a copy of the receipt confirming payment of the fee for the Integrated Environmental Authorisation (AIA) procedure.
Technical and administrative documentation
The technical and administrative documentation (reports, maps and images), to be published on the Mase’s Vas-Via-Aia portal for environmental assessments and authorisations, must then be prepared in PDG format and digitally signed in PAdES format. It is clarified that the files must not exceed 30 MB in size; where larger files are required, it will be possible to split the file into several parts, which must be clearly linkable to one another.
