On January 20, 2026, the Executive Directorate of the Environmental Assessment Service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental – SEA) issued an exempt resolution acknowledging the technical document entitled “Evaluation criteria in the SEIA: Introduction to data center projects (first edition, 2026).”
This guideline aims to provide a technical introduction to data center projects, detailing their main components, works, and essential equipment, while establishing the conditions and technical criteria under which these initiatives must be mandatorily submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA). Its primary purpose is to standardize evaluation requirements, guide the preparation of Environmental Impact Declarations (DIA) and Environmental Impact Studies (EIA), and strengthen regulatory certainty for industry stakeholders.
RELEVANCE FOR THE INDUSTRY
- Certainty regarding the SEIA entry pathway
As data center projects do not have an expressly defined entry typology under current regulations, the obligation to submit them to the SEIA must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether their components, works, or activities fall within the general typologies set out in Article 10 of Law No. 19.300 and Article 3 of the SEIA Regulation.
The guideline clarifies that the main entry triggers identified for this sector are:
- 1. Handling of hazardous substances (item ñ.3): Primarily applicable due to the storage capacity of flammable substances (such as diesel for backup generators or certain refrigerants) in quantities equal to or greater than 80,000 kilograms.
- Infraestructura eléctrica asociada al Data Center (análisis de literal c, b.1 y b.2)
- Línea de alta tensión (literal b.1): Se configura cuando el proyecto requiere la construcción de líneas de transmisión eléctrica de alto voltaje, entendidas como aquellas con una tensión superior a 23 kilovoltios (kV) ) y cuyo trazado presente una longitud superior a dos kilómetros (2 km).
- Centrales generadoras de energía (literal c): Podría aplicar en el caso de grupos electrógenos de respaldo con capacidad mayor a 3 MW, sujeto a un análisis de procedencia según el diseño específico del proyecto.
- Subestación reductora: Se precisa que las subestaciones reductoras de voltaje que comúnmente se asocian a estos proyectos no configuran por sí solas la tipología de ingreso del literal b.2.
- Assessment of potential environmental impacts
The guideline includes indicative tables that link actions typical of the different development phases of data center projects with the main environmental impacts that project proponents must assess. The purpose is to determine whether significant impacts may arise that would require entry into the SEIA. Among the impacts identified are potential effects on water resources, atmospheric emissions, noise generation, and waste management. The guideline emphasizes that the significance of these impacts will depend on the territorial context and the environmental characteristics of the project location, without prejudice to the proponent’s responsibility to comprehensively identify and assess all impacts associated with the project.
- Sectoral Environmental Permits (PAS)
The document identifies several Sectoral Environmental Permits (Permisos Ambientales Sectoriales – PAS) that may be applicable depending on the design and location of the project. The treatment of these permits in the guideline is indicative in nature and highlights, due to its frequency in the industry, PAS 142, relating to sites intended for the storage of hazardous waste (such as batteries and lubricating oils). Other relevant permits include those related to vegetation intervention (PAS 150 and 151), modification of watercourses (PAS 156), among others.
- Entry into force
This evaluation criterion will enter into force on the date of publication of the extract of the exempt resolution in the Official Gazette. Projects that are already under evaluation may voluntarily adhere to these criteria, should they deem it appropriate.
If you require further information on this matter, please contact Francisco López (flopez@jdf.cl), Eduardo Silva (esilva@jdf.cl), or Martín Esser (messer@jdf.cl).
