Spanish company Solaria has signed an agreement with the Uruguayan government to develop a data center technology park backed by a planned investment of $5.7 billion.
According to the Uruguayan government, the $5.7 billion project represents the largest foreign investment ever announced in the country.
The project includes $5.5 billion for the construction of data centers with a combined capacity of 500 MW, alongside $200 million for the development of 350 MW of solar PV capacity to supply renewable electricity to the facilities. The planned solar capacity, however, will not be sufficient to meet the data centers’ full electricity demand, meaning additional power sources will be required.
The technology park will be developed in two phases under Uruguay’s free trade zone regime, with facilities spread across the departments of Canelones, San José and Florida.
Construction is expected to continue through 2029, creating an estimated 3,100 jobs. Once fully operational, the complex is expected to employ approximately 1,500 people.
Renewable energy will play a central role in the project’s electricity supply. Uruguay already generates a substantial share of its electricity from renewable sources, and the planned 350 MW of solar capacity will provide additional generation to support the data centers.
The company has not disclosed details of the project’s electrical configuration, grid connection requirements, potential energy storage systems, power supply agreements or the development schedule for each phase.
Solaria has operated in Uruguay for nearly a decade, with solar plants in Young, in the department of Río Negro, and Mercedes, in the department of Soriano.
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