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With Investment from Casa dos Ventos and International Interest, ZPE do Pecém Can Transform Ceará into the Second Largest National Data Center Hub
Ceará is preparing for a technological leap with the arrival of new ventures in the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex in Caucaia. The region could become the second largest hub of data centers in Brazil, second only to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The announcement of a R$ 150 million investment from Casa dos Ventos, a reference in renewable energy, has already put the State in the spotlight.
The company will build a data center inside the Export Processing Zone (ZPE) of Ceará, with a planned start by December.
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International Interest Expands the Reach of the Project
The installation is not an isolated case. Five other companies in the technology sector have shown interest in establishing units in the area, according to the CEO of ZPE Ceará, Fábio Feijó.
Among the proposals are hyperscale data centers aimed at processing enormous volumes of data, a model used by global companies such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon. These projects are expected to be defined by the first half of 2026.
“We are now on the global data center map,” Feijó stated. For him, the differentiator is attracting international groups since ZPE legislation requires that 100% of revenue be allocated to exports.
Potential to Transform the Sector in Brazil
Professor Rodrigo Porto from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) highlights that, with the confirmation of the ventures, the State will solidify its position as the second largest hub in the country.
According to the expert, the projects will have the capacity to support growing demands related to artificial intelligence.
In addition, they are expected to stimulate the supply chain with local production of cutting-edge equipment.
There is, according to him, a combination of favorable factors. Among them are Ceará’s vocation for telecommunications and energy, as well as international connections via submarine cables already installed at Praia do Futuro.
Renewable Energy as a Driver of Development
The expansion gained momentum after the signing of Provisional Measure No. 1307 of 2025 by President Lula during his visit to the State.
The measure requires that companies located in ZPEs use renewable energy and authorizes service providers, such as data centers, to operate under special customs regimes.
For Feijó, this measure has brought legal security and attractiveness. He also emphasized that the requirement for clean energy avoids competition with hydrogen plants and could generate up to R$ 20 billion in new investments in solar and wind parks.
However, experts warn of a risk: the increased energy demand may put pressure on the electrical grid, necessitating investments in transmission to prevent overload.
Direct Impacts on the Local Economy
The construction and operation of these ventures bring immediate effects on the economy. The president of the consulting firm Teleco, Eduardo Tude, explains that the sector generates jobs during the construction phase and also in daily operations, which require skilled professionals.
The Casa dos Ventos project illustrates this impact. There will be about 15,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and then 500 highly specialized permanent positions.
In addition to formal employment, there is an expectation that the venture will establish partnerships with educational institutions in the region.
The goal is to train young people from Caucaia and neighboring municipalities to enter the technology market.
Global Supply Chain and Major Clients in Sight
With ten data halls, each over 2,000 m², the Casa dos Ventos data center is already positioned to attract high-profile clients.
Multinationals such as ByteDance, Google, Amazon, and Apple are on the radar as potential partners.
Porto believes that the arrival of ventures of this scale solidifies Ceará’s technological vocation.
Moreover, it reinforces the State’s integration into a global data processing and storage supply chain.
A Promising Future on the Horizon
The advancement of the ZPE Pecém projects positions Ceará as a protagonist in a strategic sector. The State, already prominent in renewable energy production, now also targets digital leadership.
If the plans are confirmed, Ceará will cease to be just an emerging hub to directly compete with the largest centers in the country.
This movement strengthens the region’s image as a reference in innovation, connectivity, and sustainability.
Thus, the new investment cycle shows that the State has unique conditions: abundant renewable energy, strategic infrastructure, and the interest of major international players.
The expected result is a structural transformation in the local economy, with repercussions for the entire Brazil.
With information from Diário do Nordeste.
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