Latin American data center firm Terronova has started work on a new data center campus outside São Paulo, Brazil.

The company this week announced work had started on the first phase of Campus Campinas.

The site will feature a substation with an initial capacity of 300MW, scheduled to come online in December 2027 and with the potential to expand up to 1GW.

The investment in the construction of the campus will exceed $500 million (2.6 billion reais) in the initial phase, with additional funding throughout the implementation stages scheduled through 2029.

The project will utilize liquid cooling technology with a closed-loop water system to reduce water use.

Mauricio Giusti, managing director of Actis and interim CEO of Terranova, said that the start of construction represents a historic step for the company and for Latin America’s digital infrastructure. He added that the complex was designed specifically for the AI era, with capacity geared toward global hyperscale operations and innovative sustainability technologies.

The project will occupy a site of approximately 944,000 sqm, of which about 115,000 sqm will be allocated to built-up area and the rest preserved as green spaces or donated to the municipality, in addition to urban infrastructure such as public roads and water and wastewater treatment plants.

Investment firm Actis launched Terranova late last year, with plans to invest $1.5 billion over the next three years, developing a portfolio of campuses in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, with additional markets under evaluation.

News that Actis was setting up a new Latam operator focused on hyperscale developments surfaced in September.

The company has reportedly secured land and power supply in strategic locations, with the goal of scaling up to 1GW of future capacity in the region.

This piece was automatically translated from DCD's Brazilian site and edited by a member of DCD staff.