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Energisa Study Shows That Natural Gas Is Essential for Ensuring Reliable Energy for Data Centers in Brazil, Highlighting the Potential of the Northeast.
A landmark study commissioned by Energisa to the Pensar Energia institute revealed that the future of data centers in Brazil directly depends on the integration between renewable sources and reliable energy, mainly natural gas. The research, released this week, shows that the Brazilian Northeast offers the best conditions to become a digital hub, and that the use of natural gas can be decisive in attracting investments in the sector.
According to Energisa, ensuring continuous supply, price predictability, and regulatory stability are fundamental requirements for Brazil to become competitive in the global race for large data centers.
Natural Gas Is the Differentiator for Ensuring Energy Stability for Data Centers
The CEO of Energisa Gas Distribution (EDG), Débora Oliver, explained that the aim of the research was to understand the energy requirements of data centers and anticipate future demands.
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“Energisa is here to stay in gas. We want to grow, we want to develop. We want to be a truly relevant player, but for that, we need to know if we have a share of value in this growth,” she stated.
The Regulatory Institutional Director of EDG, Paulo Homem, emphasized the importance of reliable energy: “The study confirms what we already suspected. It is truly necessary for reliable sources to ensure the operation of data centers.”
Exclusive dependence on renewable sources, such as solar and wind, does not yet guarantee the necessary stability for the operation of critical structures such as data centers, which cannot experience interruptions.
Global Energy Consumption by Data Centers Expected to Double by 2030
The report shows that, by 2024, data centers consumed about 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy worldwide, equivalent to 1.5% of global consumption.
This number could more than double by 2030, exceeding 945 TWh—a volume comparable to Japan’s annual consumption.
Given this growth, it becomes essential to structure an energy matrix capable of meeting this demand without fluctuations.
In this scenario, natural gas emerges as one of the most viable solutions to ensure reliability in supply.
Northeast Can Become a Data Center Hub with Energisa’s Support
Energisa is already conducting two pilot projects with operators interested in installing data centers in the Northeast. Both use natural gas as their main energy source.
“Currently, what we have are these two pilots where gas has shown to be a positive experience. We are just waiting for the completion of these studies from the client’s side so that the investment decision can be effectively made,” Oliver detailed.
She emphasizes that the energy stability provided by gas is essential. “If we lose power in our house for one, ten minutes, an hour, nothing happens. But in a data center, that can’t happen,” she pointed out.
Natural Gas Price Remains a Challenge, But Trend Is Downward, Says Energisa
Although the cost of natural gas in Brazil is still considered high compared to other markets, Energisa sees positive signs on the horizon.
Débora Oliver mentioned that the increase in supply in the country, with projects like Rota 3 and the Sergipe fields (SEAP I and II), along with LNG imports and biogas production, should contribute to a price reduction.
“The more supply we have, the trend is that we will see a reduction in gas costs, and the data center can be a lever for that,” said director Paulo Homem.
He adds that the very interest of major global operators could pressure the market and lower the input costs.
Study Proposes National Policy for Critical Digital Infrastructure
As a long-term measure, the study proposes the creation of a National Energy Policy for Critical Digital Infrastructure.
The proposal includes the combined use of natural gas, small hydropower plants with reservoirs, and modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), as well as integrating energy and connectivity in territorial planning.
Additionally, the study advocates for incentives for hybrid self-generation that can provide energy security, digital sovereignty, and international competitiveness for Brazil.
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