Scala Data Centers’ energy director, Fábio Yanaguita, defended Redataa program created by the federal government to encourage investments in data centers in Brazil, and classified the initiative as a strategic sign that the country understood the importance of digital infrastructure. The executive, however, criticized discussions on energy additionality criteriastating that excessive requirements could drive away investment from the sector.
In an interview with the program Alta Voltagem, from CNN InfraYanaguita said that Brazil still needs to demonstrate to the global market that it has the capacity to receive large data processing projects and guarantee security for investors and consumers.
“Redata does not give exclusivity, it does not separate and bring a country program. I see Redata as a great sign from the government that understands that it is a critical and strategic infrastructure for the country and, in this sense, is trying to create a special regime for the country”, he stated.
According to him, the program helps to create a clearer institutional environment for the expansion of digital infrastructure in the country and establishes compensation for companies interested in investing in the sector.
Behind the scenes, however, part of the market criticized devices from MP 1.307/25signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, which allows companies located in ZPEs (Export Processing Zones) to consume exclusively renewable energy from new plants.
The topic became known in the sector for bringing an advantage to a single company and introducing the criterion of additionality, that is, the addition of installed capacity to the system. In practice, the rule requires that new enterprises associated with data centers enable additional generation of clean energy to meet their own consumption.
Yanaguita stated that he is against this direction at a time when the Brazilian electrical system is already facing a structural oversupply of energywhich causes generation cuts imposed by the ONS (National Electric System Operator (ONS), known by the jargon “curtailment”.
“The more requirements and guidance we want to give, the more we scare away data centers in Brazil,” he said. “There is an oversupply of generation in the country. If we force companies to come and build another generation to meet their consumption, we will worsen the problem of ‘curtailment’ and add a cost to this infrastructure”, he added.
The executive argues that the imposition of new generation projects increases the cost of investments in digital infrastructure.
Despite the regulatory debate, Yanaguita stated that the sector does not seek subsidies from the electricity sector, which are often cited as a factor in putting pressure on tariffs paid by consumers.
“The data center sector does not need subsidies from the electricity sector, but it needs a country policy”, he stated.
Even though he avoided making predictions about the definitive approval of the program, the executive stated that investments must occur regardless of the Redata process. According to him, the special regime works as an accelerator for the expansion of the sector in Brazil.
“The investments will come out anyway. Redata works as a catalyst or attraction for this wave of investments”, these.
