Russia's Digital Ministry Surveys Data Centers on 10% Capacity Reserve

What the survey covers

According to the sources, a representative of a data center operator and a representative of an industry association, the forms were distributed at a meeting with the ministry. Company heads must report the capacity available at their facilities. Industry players expect the ministry to explain separately how the reserve should be calculated. One source said analysis of the collected data would begin on 9 November.

The requirement applies to data centers not owned by state bodies or by municipal enterprises and institutions.

How the reserve would work

The reserved resources will not sit idle: operators may keep using them as normal. But if Russian information systems suffer failures, owners must hand the capacity over within 24 hours at the request of the relevant subcommission.

The financial impact remains unclear. Guaranteeing free capacity within 24 hours could force operators to change how they allocate resources, and preparing the infrastructure may raise operating costs. Companies will also likely have to revisit existing customer contracts to account for the reservation obligations.

With the 10-day deadline already running and no calculation rules published, operators face uncertainty over how to meet the requirement.