Article published in Magazine Canal Solar – Vol. 6, No. 7, December/2025
The global race for digital infrastructure has transformed data centers into a new and voracious consumer of energy. As the world becomes more dependent on data, artificial intelligence, and cloud services, so does the pressure on electrical systems already strained by the energy transition.
This dual movement, marked by the need to reduce emissions and the dizzying growth of global connectivity, inaugurates a new cycle in the evolution of digital infrastructure.
Data centers are energy-intensive, operate continuously, and have rapidly growing demands. According to a report by the IEA (International Energy Agency), global demand in this sector is expected to more than double by 2030, rising from approximately 415 TWh annually in 2024 to approximately 945 TWh, potentially representing about 4% of total global electricity consumption.
This growth is driven by generative artificial intelligence, video streaming, and the continuous expansion of digital services, factors that increase the computational load and, consequently, energy consumption.
Given this scenario, the central question arises: how can we ensure that the expansion of digital infrastructure is supported by a clean, reliable, and competitive energy base? The path involves combining renewables, battery storage systems, and efficient energy contracting and management models.
In Brazil, the energy context favors this balance. The country has an abundance of intermittent sources, a consolidated hydroelectric base, and, in 2025, recorded significant peaks in non-hydro renewable generation, while at the same time facing curtailment at various times, according to the ONS (National System Operator).
With the global expansion of cloud computing and digitalization, Brazil is emerging as a strategic destination for investment due to its privileged location, the relative stability of its electricity grid, and its proximity to submarine cables.
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