Posted on 09/09/2026 7:38:49 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Argentina's rugged Patagonia is drawing increasing interest from investors searching for sites for mega data centers who are enticed by the region's cool temperatures, renewable energy, shale gas and empty stretches of land. As tech giants known as hyperscalers race worldwide to build server farms and run into roadblocks amid anti-data-center campaigns, projects in initial stages in Argentina are developing without much public attention.
Since Argentines have yet to be impacted by large data centers, the country lacks a backlash against the server farms as in the U.S., where critics say they strain local power grids, harm the environment and increase utility bills. Supporters say the facilities are essential for the AI boom, generate significant local tax revenue, and can be made more sustainable.
The Patagonia region is at South America's southern tip, known for its jagged mountain peaks, desert landscapes and massive glaciers. In Argentina's province of Neuquen, located in Patagonia, major electricity generator Pampa Energia (PAMPm.BA), opens new tab is pushing for a data center that would be located by the company's Loma de la Lata thermal power plant. It would consume up to 500 megawatts of energy from nearby Vaca Muerta, one of the world’s largest shale gas formations, said Ruben Turienzo, the company's commercial director for electricity.
Mapuche Indigenous families live in the rural area, and have historically clashed with energy companies. Pampa began studying the project, which was previously unreported, after receiving inquiries at the beginning of this year about potential data center projects.
“We started to detect there was interest that was a bit firmer," said Turienzo.
The attention on Argentina comes amid a steadier macroeconomy in a country historically plagued by high inflation. Under President Javier Milei,
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
Argentina now has only small data centers, concentrated in Buenos Aires. It lags behind its neighbors. Amazon is moving ahead on a mega data center in Chile, while Alphabet (Google) constructs one in Uruguay. In May, Paraguay shared plans for a data center with backing from Taiwan.
They got Milei. We got AOC.
RE: They got Milei. We got AOC.
I’m sure Argentina has its group of AOC’s as well.
Sounds great! They should be really secure there.
If AI is intelligent, why does it need mega data centers?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.