Elea and AXIA Energia to Build AI Data Center in Brazil’s Amazon Region
June 29, 2026
Elea and AXIA Energia to Build AI Data Center in Brazil’s Amazon Region
Elea Data Centers, a Brazilian colocation provider, has partnered with renewable energy firm AXIA Energia to develop an artificial intelligence-focused data center in the heart of the Amazon region, marking a significant step in expanding digital infrastructure in northern Brazil. The facility, named BEL1, will be located in Belém, the capital of Pará state, and is scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027.
The project underscores the growing demand for AI-ready data center capacity in emerging markets, particularly in regions with access to renewable energy. BEL1 will launch with an initial capacity of 7.5 megawatts, but is designed for scalability, with the potential to expand to up to 100 megawatts. Elea will oversee the facility’s operations, while AXIA Energia will supply the energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). The data center will be built near the Miramar high-voltage substation, ensuring grid connectivity and reliability.
Alessandro Lombardi, CEO and founder of Elea Data Centers, highlighted the strategic importance of Belém, particularly after the city was confirmed as the host of the upcoming COP30 climate conference. “This project reinforces the region’s potential to attract sustainable investments and expand the country’s digital infrastructure,” Lombardi said. He added that the facility offers an alternative connectivity route to the existing hub in Fortaleza, helping to reduce digital disparities in Brazil’s northern region.
Elea, founded in 2019 by Piemonte Holding and acquired earlier this year by US investment firm I Squared Capital, currently operates nine data centers across Brasília, Curitiba, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre. The company has previously acquired facilities from TIM, Globo, DXC, and Oi. In addition to the BEL1 project, Elea is planning a massive 1-gigawatt campus in Rio de Janeiro, known as the Rio AI City project.
Ítalo Freitas, vice president of commercialization and energy solutions at AXIA Energia, emphasized the broader implications of the partnership. “The partnership with Elea reinforces AXIA’s role as a provider of integrated solutions for its clients, enabling innovative and strategic business ventures focused on digital transformation,” Freitas said. AXIA, which describes itself as the largest 100 percent renewable energy company in the Southern Hemisphere, owns 81 renewable energy plants, including 47 hydroelectric, 33 wind, and one solar facility. “AXIA has a robust portfolio capable of guaranteeing firm, reliable, and sustainable energy for an enterprise of this magnitude, expanding connectivity and contributing to attracting investments that boost the economic development of the Amazon region,” he added.
The BEL1 project reflects a broader trend of data center developers seeking locations with abundant renewable energy and favorable policy environments. By situating the facility in the Amazon, Elea and AXIA are not only addressing connectivity gaps but also positioning the region as a viable destination for sustainable digital infrastructure investment. As AI workloads continue to drive demand for energy-intensive computing, projects like BEL1 could serve as a model for balancing technological growth with environmental responsibility.
Source: datacenterdynamics
