Elea Data Centers announced plans during Rio Innovation Week to transform Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park into ‘Rio AI City,’ a massive sustainable digital hub. The first phase will deliver 1.5 GW capacity by 2027, with expansion to 3.2 GW by 2032, making it one of the world’s largest data center facilities. The project is expected to attract significant international investment and establish Brazil as a leading hub for AI-driven infrastructure in Latin America.
The agreement, publicly announced during Rio Innovation Week, signifies a significant step toward transforming the Olympic Park into the largest data center hub in Latin America and a top-ten global facility. Spearheaded by Elea Data Centers, Rio AI City is designed to initially deliver an impressive 1.5 GW of capacity by 2027, with a strategic expansion plan to reach 3.2GW by 2032. What truly sets this project apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability: the entire hub will be powered exclusively by 100% clean energy, introducing infrastructure capabilities currently unprecedented in Brazil.
This commitment to green energy, combined with direct connectivity to major global markets via high-capacity submarine cables, positions Rio AI City as a strategic entry point for companies seeking sustainable and robust digital solutions. The hub’s location within one of the world’s most stable power grids further enhances its appeal, offering the stability and reliability essential for supporting the most demanding AI and cloud workloads.
As Alessandro Lombardi, President and Founder of Elea Data Centers, highlighted, Rio AI City is being built with “robust infrastructure, clean energy, and high connectivity—ready to attract talent and businesses that will shape the next digital era.”
The collaborative spirit driving this project is evident in the enthusiastic support from all parties. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes emphasized the city’s commitment to leveraging its clean resources, research institutions, and global connectivity to position itself as the “AI capital of Latin America.” Alexandre Maioral, President of Oracle Brazil, emphasized Oracle’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge AI technology and data center infrastructure to Brazil and Latin America, enabling faster innovation through secure, scalable, and sustainable solutions.
Osmar Lima, Rio’s Municipal Secretary for Economic Development, echoed this sentiment, noting that “Rio has all the conditions to become one of the world’s great data center hubs: infrastructure, clean energy, and skilled professionals.” This project is not just about digital infrastructure; it serves as a catalyst for attracting new investment, fostering economic growth, and creating a vibrant ecosystem for technological advancement.
Elea Data Centers, headquartered in Rio, is at the forefront of this transformation. As Latin America’s pioneering data center infrastructure platform, Elea is dedicated to accelerating a responsible digital economy. With a nationwide network of interconnected data center campuses supported by Goldman Sachs and local financial institutions, Elea provides the capacity and scale required for high-density cloud and AI deployments by major tech companies and global enterprises.
The Rio AI City project serves as a powerful testament to the growing global demand for sustainable, high-performance digital infrastructure. By combining strategic location, clean energy, and strong partnerships, Rio de Janeiro is not only transforming its own landscape but also establishing itself as a crucial bridge for businesses seeking to expand and innovate within Latin America and beyond. The future of AI and sustainable digital development is looking increasingly bright, with Rio at its heart.