Bytedance, owner of Tiktok, is evaluating the installation of data centers in Brazil, which seeks to find demand for its surplus renewable energy, they told the Reuters Three sources with knowledge of the subject.
The studies of the company owner of the social media platform based in China are for a project in the Port Complex of Pecém (CE), in partnership with the Casa dos Ventos renewable energy generator, according to two of the sources.
Plans occur amid Brazil’s efforts to design themselves as a global center for the growing data centers industry, which can move $ 10 billion in the country in the next decade, according to a recent study.
Negotiations are initially for a capacity of 300 Megawatts (MW), said one of the people with knowledge of the subject, but the total project can reach 900 MW in a second phase.
A second source said the total demand for the project could reach 1 GW.
Pecém’s location is considered strategic and competitive for data centers, which require a large amount of energy. The Northeast region has a large concentration of renewable generation. In addition, it is close to the arrival of submarine telecommunications cables in Brazil.
Continues after advertising
The House of the Winds, whose partner has Totalenergies in its power generation businesses, has already requested connection of its project of Data Centers of Pecém to the National Electric Network, but had access denied by the National Electric System Operator (ONS) for risks to network stability, as these infrastructures consume large amounts of energy.
According to two of the sources consulted, the Ministry of Mines and Energy is evaluating the release of more connection capacity for data centers projects in this and other areas.
Wanted, Tiktok said it will not comment on the matter.
Continues after advertising
The Ministry of Mines and Energy did not immediately return a request for comment. THE Reuters contacted bytedance by email, but did not get an immediate position.
Casa dos Ventos did not comment on negotiations with Bytedance, but said in a statement that “it is committed to turning the Port of Pecém into a technology and energy transition innovation complex.”
“The company is developing the largest data center and green hydrogen project in the country that will use renewable energy from its asset portfolio. In the development of both projects, the company has analyzed opportunities for partnership with companies that can be complementary in the viability of enterprises.”
