The Strategic Confluence: Artificial Intelligence, Clean Energy, and Data Centers as Drivers of Economic Growth for Brazil
- Luiz de Campos Salles
- há 23 horas
- 12 min de leitura
This text was produced and edited by the author based on prompts and additional references. Author: LUIZ DE CAMPOS SALLES
1. Introduction: A New Formula for National Development
The contemporary global scenario is defined by two unavoidable megatrends: the race for technological dominance in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the urgent transition to a decarbonized energy matrix. At the intersection of these two forces lies a unique strategic opportunity for nations that manage to align their digital ambition with their energy capacity. Brazil, in a rare and remarkable way, finds itself in a privileged position to lead this convergence.
This essay argues that Brazil's economic growth can be accelerated by a previously underestimated synergy, which can be summarized in the formula "1=2+3+4." In this equation, economic growth (1) is not a random outcome, but the direct consequence of coordinated action that brings together development in Artificial Intelligence (2), vast clean energy potential (3), and a strategic approach to data center infrastructure (4). The central premise is that the convergence of these three pillars not only solves the challenges of each, but creates a value cycle that elevates the country to a new level of global competitiveness. For decision makers, this is not just a trend analysis, but a roadmap for transforming latent competitive advantages into national prosperity.
2. Pillar 2: The Engine of Innovation - The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Brazil
Brazil has shown significant progress in developing an Artificial Intelligence ecosystem. The country currently ranks sixth globally in terms of the number of professionals working in the AI segment, with an estimated workforce of 58,000 people, demonstrating significant growth and placing the nation at the forefront of the global technology scene. The importance of AI has been the subject of growing interest since the early 2000s, driven by increases in computing power and the availability of large volumes of data.
The recognition of AI as a cross-cutting technology is reflected in public policy initiatives. The federal government, for example, already uses generative AI to optimize public management and assist in the analysis of more than 20,000 executive documents through a pilot project with Serpro. This action demonstrates that technology is not only seen as a tool for the private sector, but as a crucial element for innovation in governance and state efficiency. In addition, Brazil's participation in international forums, such as the G20, where the country launched a US$4 billion plan for AI focused on inclusive and sustainable development, reinforces its strategic position and commitment to shaping global technology regulation.
AI is not only an engine of innovation, but also an essential enabler for the sustainability agenda. Technology can play a key role in companies' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management, assisting in materiality assessment, emissions tracking, supply chain data analysis, and the generation of accurate sustainability reports. This application demonstrates that AI is not disconnected from the environmental agenda, but can be a powerful tool to advance it. For example, technology can be used to monitor, analyze, and manage essential metrics in data centers, such as energy consumption, humidity, and temperature, optimizing operation and resource use.
Despite growth and promising initiatives, the sector faces a critical bottleneck: a shortage of skilled labor. Data from Brasscom reveals a significant deficit between 2019 and 2024, when the market demanded more than 665,000 technology professionals, but only 464,569 graduated during the period. This gap is attributed to the rapid pace of innovation, which exceeds the ability of educational institutions to train professionals at the same speed, often due to a lack of infrastructure or updated curricula. The talent deficit in AI and technology is not just a human resources problem; it is a direct limiting factor on Brazil's ability to capitalize on growth driven by the "1=2+3+4" formula. The expansion of data center infrastructure and the demand for intelligent energy management will require these professionals, and inaction in this field could invalidate the strategic opportunity for development.
The following table illustrates the workforce and demand for technology professionals in Brazil, highlighting the need for coordinated action to fill the talent gap.
Technology and AI Labor Market Indicators in Brazil | Data and Sources |
Global Position in AI Professionals | 6th place, with approximately 58,000 people |
Demand for Technology Professionals (2019-2024) | > 665,000 |
Technology Graduates (2019-2024) | 464,569 |
Shortage of professionals | > 200,000 |
3. Pillar 3: The Competitive Advantage - Brazil's Clean Energy Matrix
Brazil is a global powerhouse in clean energy, an unmatched competitive advantage in the era of decarbonization. Its electricity matrix is remarkably dominated by renewable sources, with 84.25% of installed capacity coming from sources such as hydro (55%), wind (14.8%), and biomass (8.4%). This configuration places Brazil at the forefront of the energy transition. In a global ranking, the country ranks second in renewable energy production, with 89.3% of its energy generated from clean sources, behind only Norway and ahead of nations such as New Zealand.
Brazil's clean energy generation is even three times higher than the world average, and the country leads the BRICS members in this regard.
Brazil's potential to expand its renewable energy matrix is enormous, thanks to its geographical position, climate, and vast water and agricultural resources.
Diversification of the matrix is a priority, with the rise of sources such as solar energy and investment in low-carbon technologies. The country has positioned itself as one of the leading emerging powers in the production of biomethane, a renewable fuel derived from biomass with the potential to supply up to 80% of heavy vehicle fleets and generate electricity. The Waste Treatment and Management Unit (UTGR) of the Multilixo Group in Jambeiro, São Paulo, is a concrete example, being the first plant in the sector to be 100% self-sustainable, generating its own electricity and contributing to the reduction of 170,000 tons of CO2 annually.
CO2.
This abundance of clean, low-cost energy gives Brazil a decisive competitive advantage in attracting investment in data centers, which are energy-intensive consumers. While other nations face infrastructure challenges and need to invest trillions to decarbonize their networks and meet growing demand, Brazil already offers a sustainable and competitive solution. The exponential growth of digital infrastructure, in turn, acts as a catalyst for the expansion of the renewable energy matrix. Projections from the Ministry of Mines and Energy indicate that demand from data centers will require an investment of R$ 54 billion in new renewable energy generation by 2037, creating a virtuous cycle where digital demand drives investment in energy sustainability.
The following table compares Brazil's renewable energy production with that of other nations, solidifying its leading position.
Global Renewable Energy Production Ranking (2023) | % of Energy Generated from Renewable Sources |
1. Norway | 98 |
2. | 89.3 |
3. New Zealand | 87 |
4. Denmark | 87 |
5. Portugal | 75.5 |
4. Pillar 4: The Infrastructure of the Future - Data Centers and Their Scaling Challenges
Data centers are the backbone of the digital economy and the "heart" of Artificial Intelligence. They are the physical infrastructures that house servers, storage devices, and networks, which are essential for the massive processing and distribution of data. Brazil, aware of its strategic role, leads the data center market in Latin America, accounting for 50% of investments in the region, with projected growth of US$ 3.5 billion by 2029. Government support for this sector is evident, with the BNDES launching a R$ 2 billion credit line to encourage new installations and strengthen the country's digital capacity.
The rise of AI and increasing digitization, however, bring with them a monumental energy challenge. The energy demand of AI systems can account for up to 49% of the electricity used by a data center, putting pressure on global electrical infrastructure. Globally, data centers consume between 1% and 2% of the world's electricity, a figure that could double by the end of the decade. The composition of this consumption is particularly revealing f : about 40% of the energy is used to power the servers, and an equivalent amount, also 40%, is consumed by the cooling needed to dissipate the heat generated. This cooling requirement, which often consumes large volumes of water, also raises serious environmental and licensing concerns.
The Brazilian response to these challenges is not passive. The country is positioning itself as a hub for sustainable data centers, with cutting-edge projects that demonstrate the potential of combining digital infrastructure with sustainability. The Northeast region, for example, has become a strategic hub, taking advantage of abundant wind energy and the proximity of submarine cables. Large-scale projects, such as Rio AI City in Rio de Janeiro and Scala AI City in Rio Grande do Sul, with capacities that can reach 3.2 GW and 4.7 GW, respectively, are examples of how the country is attracting billion-dollar investments. Companies such as Ascenty already operate with 100% renewable energy and high efficiency, including projects that do not consume water for cooling.
To mitigate regulatory challenges, such as the high complexity of environmental licensing and the lack of specific classification for the activity, the Brazilian government is developing the Redata (Special Regime for Attracting Data Centers). This special tax regime seeks to attract around R$ 2 trillion in investments over ten years, offering tax benefits (exemption from IPI, PIS, Cofins, and Import Tax) in exchange for clear commitments to sustainability, such as the use of renewable energy, high energy efficiency, and capacity reserves for the domestic market. The creation of a clearer legal framework and the simplification of licensing processes, as already implemented in Goiás, are crucial steps to reduce uncertainty and attract more capital.
A particularly noteworthy aspect is that data centers, with their AI-based energy management technologies, energy storage systems (such as lithium batteries), and state-of-the-art uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, are not just passive consumers of energy. They can act as stabilizers for the power grid, storing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during peak times, helping to mitigate the intermittency characteristic of renewable sources such as wind and solar. This role as "new allies in the energy transition" transforms the equation and positions them as part of the solution to energy infrastructure challenges.
Data Center Growth Projections in Brazil | Data | Sources |
Installed Capacity (2024) | 777 | |
Capacity Under Construction (2024) | 472 | |
Planned Capacity (2024) | 468 MW | |
Total Capacity (2024) | 1.7 GW | |
Demand Projection (2037) | 2.5 GW | |
Investment Required in Renewable Generation for 2.5 GW (2037) | R$ 54 billion |
5. Strategic Synergy: An Unprecedented Opportunity (2+3+4)
The real opportunity for Brazil lies in articulating these three pillars into a cohesive strategy. The convergence of advances in Artificial Intelligence (2), clean energy potential (3), and the strategic expansion of data centers (4) is not a coincidence, but a synergy that the country is uniquely positioned to exploit.
The development of AI requires a massive data center infrastructure, which in turn demands a huge amount of electricity and cooling, putting considerable pressure on global infrastructure. The solution to this challenge does not lie in dirty energy generation, but in an abundant, low-cost, and, crucially, clean source. Brazil, with its predominantly renewable energy matrix and vast potential for expansion in sources such as wind and solar, offers a natural solution to this growing demand. In contrast to nations that need trillions in investments to decarbonize their grids and simultaneously increase capacity to meet new digital demand, Brazil already starts from a position of unquestionable leadership.
Data centers are the convergence point that brings this synergy to life. They are not just consumers, but the link that transforms clean energy potential (3) into the power needed to drive AI (2), creating a self-reinforcing value cycle. AI itself can be used to optimize the operation and cooling of these data centers, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing energy efficiency. In addition, technology allows companies to more accurately manage their ESG goals by tracking emissions and generating consistent reports.
The role of public policy is the central axis that transforms this potential synergy into a national strategy. Redata and the National Data Center Plan represent the government's strategic response to channel investments and ensur t that the sector's growth is intrinsically linked to the sustainability agenda. By linking tax benefits to the adoption of renewable energy, water and energy efficiency, and the provision of capacity to the domestic market, the government creates the conditions for digital expansion to be "green" by default, generating value not only for companies, but for the economy and the environment as a whole.
6. Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations: Translating Synergy into Economic Growth (1)
Brazil has before it an unprecedented opportunity for economic development, where growth does not have to be antagonistic to sustainability. The formula "1=2+3+4" offers a lens through which to view the country's future, a future in which Artificial Intelligence, clean energy, and data centers come together as the foundation of a new sustainable and resilient digital economy. The value generated by the synergy of these three pillars is exponentially greater than the sum of their parts. The attraction of capital (projects that could reach R$ 2 trillion in 10 years), the creation of highly skilled jobs (even with the current deficit, demand is a sign of growth), and the export of "green" digital services are the direct results of this strategy.
To translate this synergy into tangible economic growth, decision-makers are recommended to adopt a strategic and coordinated approach based on the following pillars:
1. Policy and Regulation:
Prioritize the approval of the legal framework for data centers, simplifying and standardizing environmental licensing processes at the federal and state levels.
Implement Redata with clear oversight mechanisms to ensure that tax benefits are directly linked to rigorous sustainability targets, such as 100% renewable energy use and high water efficiency.
2. Education and Training:
Launch massive investment programs in technology education, focusing on training talent in AI, through partnerships with the private sector, universities, and innovation hubs.
Create a national professional retraining plan to prepare the workforce for the new demands of the AI economy.
3. Infrastructure and Innovation:
Encourage the creation of "data center parks" or special economic zones with pre-structured energy, water, and connectivity infrastructure to reduce costs and implementation times.
Promote research and development of more efficient and sustainable cooling technologies, including the use of AI for thermal management.
By embracing this strategic convergence, Brazil can not only overcome its economic challenges but also position itself as a global leader, demonstrating that the transition to a digital and green economy is the only sustainable path for development in the 21st century.
The sources used by Gemini AI are as follows:
Sources read but not used in the report