Investment in technological infrastructure will reach $310 million by 2029, with an annual growth of 15.59%.
Peru is experiencing unprecedented growth in the data center industry, establishing itself as one of the most promising emerging markets in Latin America. The surge in digitalization, the boost in e-commerce, and the expansion of cloud services have triggered a wave of investments that projects a cumulative investment of $310 million by 2029, according to the Arizton Advisory & Intelligence report.
Currently, the country represents 2% of investment in data centers in the region but is expected to reach 3.1% in the next four years. This evolution responds to a growing need for storage, secure information processing, and support for technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Rising Demand and New Players
Companies like Claro, GTD, WIN Empresas, and Cirion Technologies are leading the development of this infrastructure. Among the most notable projects is Cirion’s new 20 MW data center in Lurín, which will double its installed capacity in the region. This is followed by WIN’s investment in a new center in La Molina and the project inaugurated by GTD in 2023, both with an investment of $50 million.
Although giants like Amazon and Google still concentrate their investments in Mexico or Chile, the trend points to a growing interest from hyperscalers and international tech companies to establish themselves in the Andean country.
Energy Infrastructure: A Comparative Advantage
Unlike other countries in the region, Peru boasts a clean and stable energy matrix. 60% of its energy comes from hydroelectric sources, positioning the country as an attractive destination for sustainable technology investments.
However, the cost of energy remains higher than that of neighboring countries, posing challenges for operational profitability. Additionally, connectivity and the concentration of infrastructure in Lima limit the development of centers outside the capital, although cities like Tacna are beginning to gain strategic prominence.
Professional Training and Sustainability: Upcoming Challenges
One of the weak points of the Peruvian ecosystem is the scarcity of specialized talent. Currently, there is no specific technical career focused on data center management, forcing companies to train their teams in multidisciplinary areas.
Regarding sustainability, efforts are focused on improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), a key indicator in the energy efficiency of data centers. Companies like Panduit and Vertiv are working alongside their clients to optimize cooling and structural design to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance.
Pending Regulation
Despite the sector’s growth, Peru still lacks a specific regulatory framework for data centers. Existing legislation addresses tangential aspects such as personal data protection or cybersecurity, but there is no concrete law to drive its development or regulate its operation comprehensively.
Moreover, as industry experts point out, many municipalities do not even consider this category within their urban regulations, complicating the implementation of new projects.
Encouraging Outlook
The Arizton report projects an addition of more than 51 MW of energy capacity in the next five years, along with the development of new centers that will join the ten currently operational in the country.
Luis Caro, AWS’s industry leader for LATAM, emphasizes that “in addition to the immediate benefits offered by the cloud, the expansion of digital infrastructure is opening opportunities for emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and process automation.”
With the inauguration of the AWS Local Zone in Lima, the Peruvian capital is positioned as a strategic node for low-latency digital services, benefiting sectors such as telecommunications, banking, and digital media.
Peru is at a crucial stage to become a regional digital hub. If it can overcome challenges in connectivity, regulation, and technical training while continuing to leverage its energy advantage, the country could establish itself as one of the key players in the digital revolution of Latin America.