Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced an investment exceeding $4 billion to establish a new cloud infrastructure region in Chile before the end of 2026. This ambitious move will position the South American country as one of the new strategic hubs for cloud computing in Latin America.
The future AWS South America (Chile) region will initially feature three Availability Zones, enhancing the resilience and availability of cloud services throughout the region. This will be AWS’s 37th region worldwide, joining the 114 operational Availability Zones.
Modern Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency
According to the company, the data centers in this new region will be designed with predominantly air-cooling systems, minimizing water usage. Water will only be used around 4% of the year, representing a conscious effort towards water sustainability, particularly relevant given the region’s climatic context.
“The AWS Region in Chile will meet the growing demand for cloud services in Latin America, providing a secure, reliable, and efficient infrastructure,” stated Prasad Kalyanaraman, Vice President of Infrastructure Services at AWS.
The executive also highlighted that this investment will allow Chilean and regional companies to leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate innovation, productivity, and growth.
Boosting Chile’s Digital Transformation
The initiative has been welcomed by the Chilean government as a strong endorsement of the national digitalization strategy. Aisén Etcheverry Escudero, Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, emphasized: “AWS’s expansion in Chile is an example of the country’s commitment to advanced technology, driven by the National Data Center Plan.”
AWS has been strengthening its presence in the country for years. In 2019, it launched its first CloudFront Edge location. Later, in 2021, it introduced the AWS Outposts service and enabled a Ground Station in Punta Arenas. In 2023, it expanded its infrastructure with an AWS Direct Connect point and a Local Zone in Santiago.
Previous Projects and Future Expansion
Amazon had already received environmental approval in January 2024 to build a $205 million data center in Santiago, and in July it obtained the green light for a second center with a similar investment. These facilities are part of an infrastructure rollout that will culminate in the full new region by 2026.
In addition to Chile, AWS is developing new regions in New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and the European Sovereign Cloud, in line with its global expansion strategy and adaptation to local regulations on digital sovereignty and privacy.
via: DCD