The rapid growth of data centers in Brazil and worldwide, driven by the expansion of AI (artificial intelligence) and cloud services, has intensified the debate about their environmental impacts, especially regarding energy consumption, intensive use of water for cooling, and pressure on natural resources.
The assessment comes from MIT Technology Review Brazil, based on internal surveys and data from national and international studies. According to the publication, in 2024 data centers were responsible for approximately 1,7% of electricity consumption in Brazil, equivalent to 8,2 TWh.
Projections indicate that this percentage could more than double by 2029, when data centers are expected to account for 3,9% of the country's total energy consumption, following the growth in demand for data processing, cloud storage, and AI-based applications.
The study also draws attention to an indirect impact of this sector: much of the water associated with the operation of data centers is embedded in power generation, especially in the operation of thermal and hydroelectric power plants that supply these infrastructures.
According to MIT's assessment, the scenario combines immediate challenges and strategic opportunities, since without a clean electricity grid and more efficient use of energy resources, the advancement of datacenters It can amplify relevant environmental pressures.
Competitive advantage for Brazil
On the other hand, the survey highlights that Brazil has a competitive advantage over the vast majority of countries in the world, as it has a electric matrix predominantly renewable – which creates conditions for it to occupy a prominent position in so-called sustainable computing, focusing on clean energy, water efficiency and environmental governance.
The study indicates that the sector's growth will require continuous investments in energy efficiency, infrastructure, and clean power generation, since without this support the expansion of data centers could put pressure on the electricity grid. With this support, the movement can accelerate technological innovation, strengthen sustainable practices, and align digital advancement with the country's environmental goals.
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