Elea Builds Amazon's First AI Data Center on 100% Renewable Power

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 26, 2026 – In a landmark move bridging advanced technology with environmental stewardship, Elea Data Centers has announced a partnership with AXIA Energia to build the Amazon region's first neutral-host data center designed for Artificial Intelligence. The facility, dubbed BEL1 and located in Belém, Pará, is slated to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027, powered entirely by renewable energy.

The project represents a significant leap for Brazil's digital infrastructure, planting a high-capacity AI hub in a region historically underserved by technology. With an initial capacity of 7.5 megawatts (MW) and a roadmap for expansion up to a massive 100 MW, BEL1 is poised to become a critical node for data processing, cloud services, and AI development, all while adhering to a strict sustainability mandate.

A Green-Tech Beacon for the Amazon

At the core of the BEL1 project is an unwavering commitment to sustainable operation. Elea Data Centers will operate the facility, while AXIA Energia, the largest 100% renewable energy company in the Southern Hemisphere, will supply its power under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This ensures that the energy-intensive demands of AI computing will not come at the expense of the Amazon's delicate ecosystem.

This initiative is strategically timed, with its conception linked to Belém's selection as the host city for the COP30 climate conference. Alessandro Lombardi, CEO and Founder of Elea Data Centers, framed the project as a direct legacy of the event. "The project began to take shape in 2024 when Belém was confirmed as the host city for COP30, reinforcing the region's potential to attract structural and sustainable investments," Lombardi stated. "BEL1 reaffirms our pioneering spirit and represents a legacy of COP30 by demonstrating the importance of developing sustainable digital infrastructure in strategic and remote regions."

AXIA Energia's role is pivotal. The company operates a vast portfolio of 81 power plants—including 47 hydroelectric, 33 wind, and one solar facility—and controls a significant portion of Brazil's national generation and transmission capacity. The data center will be built near AXIA's Miramar high-voltage substation, guaranteeing high energy reliability and the flexibility needed for future scaling. "As the largest 100% renewable energy company in the Southern Hemisphere, AXIA has a robust portfolio capable of guaranteeing firm, reliable, and sustainable energy for an enterprise of this magnitude," said Ítalo Freitas, Vice President of Commercialization and Energy Solutions at AXIA.

Elea itself brings a strong track record of sustainable operations. The company's 2024 Sustainability Report highlighted a Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) index of just 0.07 liters per kWh, a figure that positions it among the most water-efficient data center operators globally. This focus on resource efficiency, combined with AXIA's clean energy supply, aims to set a new global standard for green data infrastructure.

Belém's Rise as a Strategic Connectivity Hub

Beyond its environmental credentials, the BEL1 data center is a strategic masterstroke for Brazil's national digital sovereignty and resilience. For years, Fortaleza has been the undisputed gateway for the submarine cables connecting Brazil to the world. The Belém project establishes a crucial secondary hub, creating a complementary and resilient route for data traffic.

This diversification mitigates the risk of a single point of failure and strengthens the entire national network. Belém is already integrated into the region's connectivity fabric through the government's Norte Conectado (Connected North) program, which uses riverbeds to lay fiber optic cables. The addition of a major data center and its connection to coastal and international fiber routes elevates the city's status from a regional outpost to a strategic digital nexus.

Lombardi emphasized the project's role in tackling the digital divide. "The North region will play a fundamental role in the Brazilian digital ecosystem by providing an alternative route to Fortaleza and by helping reduce digital inequality and boost regional competitiveness," he noted. By bringing world-class infrastructure closer to the 28 million people living in the Amazon region, the project promises to stimulate the local digital economy, attract further investment, and provide new opportunities for businesses and communities.

Powering Brazil's AI Ambitions

BEL1's launch comes at a critical time for Brazil, which stands as Latin America's largest data center market. Industry analysts describe the market as "structurally underpenetrated," with demand for cloud computing and AI services far outpacing the available supply. A significant portion of Brazil's data is still stored in U.S.-based data centers, a situation that projects like BEL1 are designed to change.

This project is a key part of Elea's broader national strategy, which was recently supercharged by a major investment from I Squared Capital. The global infrastructure investment manager's acquisition of a majority stake in Elea mobilized approximately R$ 2.5 billion (US$500 million) in capital, explicitly aimed at accelerating the development of large-scale, high-density AI infrastructure across Brazil. Elea's ambitious portfolio includes nine interconnected data centers and the massive "Rio AI City" initiative, a planned hub with up to 3.2 GW of renewable energy capacity.

The Brazilian government has also signaled its support for such developments. In late 2025, it introduced the Special Tax Regime for Datacentre Services (REDATA), a program offering tax incentives for projects that run on 100% renewable energy. The BEL1 project appears perfectly aligned with REDATA's criteria, which include reduced requirements for facilities located in the North region, potentially providing a significant financial tailwind once the measure is fully enacted by Congress.

This combination of private ambition, massive capital injection, and supportive public policy is creating a fertile ground for Brazil to become a global leader in AI infrastructure. The Elea and AXIA partnership in Belém is not just building a data center; it is laying the digital foundation for the future of the Amazon's economy and Brazil's role in the age of artificial intelligence.