Mexico. In the midst of a growing digital demand driven by the expansion of e-commerce, artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of companies, Data Centers in Mexico face one of their biggest challenges: ensuring a reliable, efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure.
According to a report by DatacenterDynamics, Mexico currently has 1,269 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity in data centers, which positions it as the second largest market in Latin America1, both in square meters and in energy capacity. This accelerated expansion highlights the urgent need to address the challenges facing the country in terms of electricity infrastructure.
During a virtual forum convened by the construction company Gaya, specialists agreed that data centers in Mexico face important environmental challenges, but they also represent a great opportunity for industrial development. According to shared projections, this industry is expected to receive direct investment of 9,200 million dollars by 2029, in addition to 27,500 million dollars in indirect investment, reflecting its growing relevance in the country's economy.2
Today, the operational continuity of data centers depends on both computing capacity and a resilient energy system. Interruptions in the electricity supply can translate into millions of dollars in losses and critical effects on financial, logistics, health services and digital platforms.
"While data centers are designed from conception to mitigate these risks through redundancy schemes, the lack of a reliable electrical system remains a key factor for decision-makers when evaluating new investments. In addition, the explosion of artificial intelligence and its exponential demand for energy per rack represents an additional challenge," says Fernando Velasco, Managing Director of Generac Mexico.
"As a company, we believe that continuous improvements in AI and processing efficiency could generate global energy consumption of close to 1,000 TWh by 2030. This growth, combined with the high power density required by technologies such as HPC (High-Performance Computing), puts the traditional energy infrastructure in check," he added.
The rise of AI drives a new wave of investment in critical infrastructure
According to data from Statista Market Insights, the Mexican artificial intelligence market will reach an estimated value of 3,700 million dollars in 2024, consolidating itself as one of the fastest-growing technology sectors in the country.
Companies that provide critical infrastructure for data centers, communications networks and industrial environments have pointed out that this advance entails an increase in the needs for high-density power and cooling, so it is essential to innovate in energy efficiency.
"This growing demand for energy poses challenges in terms of sustainability, so energy efficiency in the data center has taken a leading role, becoming a fundamental aspect for the design and operation of the data center of the future," said the spokesperson.
Faced with this panorama, he indicates, both the private initiative and local and federal governments must work in parallel to modernize energy infrastructure, promote sustainable solutions and mitigate risks if they seek to effectively capitalize on the investment potential in this sector: "With a growth projection of more than 15% per year in the coming years, the data center ecosystem is emerging as a key driver for Mexico's digital economy. Overcoming energy challenges will be essential to attract international investment and position the country as a strategic technological hub in Latin America."
New line of generators for data centers
Generac this year launched a new line of standby generators designed specifically for the growing needs of the data center market, including five generator models ranging from 2.25 MW to 3.25 MW, easily integrating into high-capacity energy ecosystems. These devices stand out for their performance, low emissions, redundant starting systems, and operating capabilities in environments up to 50°C, in addition to meeting the most stringent industry standards.
"Data centers are engines of today's digital economy, and they need reliable and scalable energy solutions that meet critical demands," said Julio César Becerril Regional Data Center & Telecom BDM LATAM at Generac. "The portfolio is complemented by modular power systems (MPS), configurable circuit breakers and customized packaging. All this responds to an energy demand driven by the expansion of AI and a challenging energy environment, characterized by an obsolete electricity grid and extreme weather events," he concludes.
