Data Centers: Evaluating Opportunities and Challenges for key Markets in Latin America
This report summarizes the high-level forum “Data Centers & Energy: Reliability and Mapping of Supply and Demand,” which convened stakeholders to discuss the intersection of digital infrastructure and energy in Latin America. The discussions revealed a strong sense of urgency and a unique opportunity for the region, particularly Chile, to become a global leader in sustainable data infrastructure. By leveraging abundant renewable energy resources and growing technical capabilities, the region can transform energy and data into key economic drivers, shaping the future of digital and energy integration.
What you will find in the report
- An analysis of the global outlook for data centers and their increasing energy consumption, driven by AI, cloud computing, and big data.
- An overview of the key data center markets in Latin America, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.
- Discussion on the strategic imperatives for the region, including balancing economic growth with pressure on electricity grids and water resources.
- Insights into grid reliability and the need to integrate advanced battery storage and grid management solutions.
- A breakdown of investment models, market dynamics, and the financial barriers facing new projects, such as permitting delays.
- An examination of supply-side sustainability challenges, including water use for cooling systems and the need for sustainable solutions.
- Key recommendations for developing regional roadmaps, streamlining regulations, and fostering public-private collaboration.
Key questions
- How can Latin America leverage its abundant renewable energy resources to support the expansion of sustainable data centers?
- What are the primary investment models, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics shaping the future of the region’s data center industry?
- What are the main infrastructure and sustainability challenges, including grid reliability and water consumption, that must be addressed?
- Why is Chile positioned to become a regional hub for green digital infrastructure, and what hurdles does it need to overcome?
- What role does community engagement and public-private collaboration play in ensuring the long-term success and social acceptance of data center projects?