Negocios

Data Centers in Mexico: The New Focus of Foreign Technological Investment

Over the years, the digital economy has continuously shaped the development of technological infrastructure across different regions of the world. Mexico has emerged as one of the markets with the greatest potential in Latin America for the development of data centers.

The rise of e-commerce, streaming platforms, cloud services, and corporate digitalization has significantly increased the need for companies to store and process data efficiently.

In response to this demand, international technology companies are expanding their physical presence into markets such as Mexico, making investments focused on the construction of data centers and digital connectivity infrastructure.

This growth is further driven by the strong link with nearshoring, as many companies seek to bring their technological and logistical operations closer to the North American market.

Growth of Digital Infrastructure in Mexico

According to data from the Mexican Data Center Association (MEXDC), Mexico ranks as the second most important data center market in Latin America, surpassed only by Brazil.

By 2024, the country had recorded an aggregate capacity of 587.2 MW, of which 111.5 MW were already in operation and 475.7 MW remained under construction.

To put the energy consumption of this industry into perspective, a single 100 MW data center can consume an amount of electricity comparable to that used by approximately 80,000 to 100,000 households simultaneously, depending on the residential consumption levels of each region.

This helps explain why energy availability has become one of the primary factors in attracting investment in digital infrastructure and data processing centers.

It is worth noting that MW refers to the electrical capacity required by data centers to operate, as this type of infrastructure demands large amounts of energy to keep its servers and technological systems running.

Given this context, Mexico presents itself as an ideal territory where companies can currently obtain key advantages for carrying out this type of project.

Relevant factors such as Mexico’s geographic proximity to the United States, the commercial integration provided by the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), and the expansion of telecommunications networks have strengthened foreign investors’ interest in developing digital infrastructure within the country.

Discover how nearshoring is driving new foreign investment opportunities and industrial expansion in Puebla!

The steady growth of digital consumption across Latin America has also contributed to this trend, as companies increasingly require local data storage, lower latency, and greater processing capacity to operate financial platforms, industrial systems, AI applications, and digital services.

Why Are Companies Investing in Data Centers?

Given the current trends emerging from the global expansion of data-driven technologies, digital processing centers have become strategic infrastructure for international companies.

Today, sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, smart manufacturing, and cloud services rely heavily on digital operations capable of processing information continuously and at high speed.

In this context, Mexico has begun attracting the attention of international investors, as its current landscape offers operational and economic conditions that favor the development and launch of these projects.

Competitive cost is one of the most prominent factors, as construction, operation, and installation of infrastructure in markets such as North America tend to involve significantly higher monetary costs.

Likewise, the availability of industrial corridors and international connectivity plays a fundamental role in these projects, since companies in this technology sector require the constant real-time exchange of information across different regions.

One of the most notable cases of industry growth in Mexico is Amazon Web Services (AWS), which in 2024 announced an investment of over five billion dollars to develop a new data center region in Querétaro over the next 15 years.

According to AWS, this project aims to strengthen cloud infrastructure in Mexico and meet the growing digital demand driven by sectors such as e-commerce, AI, fintech, and enterprise services.

The company also noted that Querétaro’s strategic location, along with factors related to connectivity and operational stability, were key determinants in this investment decision.

Discover how Italy is strengthening its trade relations and international investment opportunities!

According to information from COMCE (Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology) and The Logistics World, during the third quarter of 2025, foreign direct investment in Mexico directed toward data centers reached one of the highest levels ever recorded for this industry in the country, totaling approximately 184 million dollars.

FDI Showcase · Mexico

Your project, visible to
global investors.

Incorporation in minutes. No intermediaries. Direct access to international capital.

1
Register
2
Publish
3
Connect
Publish my project →
Free · No upfront commission

This investment was composed primarily of capital from the United States, accounting for nearly 97% of the total—equivalent to 178.5 million dollars—while the remaining 3% came from countries such as Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, and Singapore.

Discover how Singapore has become a strategic bridge between Asia and Mexico for trade and international expansion!

The accelerated growth of AI-based applications is another factor driving these investments, as new AI models require significantly greater computational capacity than those traditionally implemented, considerably increasing the need for specialized infrastructure and high-quality processing centers.

Through data centers, fundamental platforms are being structured for industries related to automation, data analytics, and advanced digital services—moving well beyond their traditional role as simple digital storage facilities.

This also represents a strategic technological shift for many international companies, as an increasing number of businesses are looking to transfer their digital structure and distribute their operations across strategic markets capable of offering operational stability, connectivity, and long-term expansion capacity.

As a result, Mexico is now positioned not only as a destination for the manufacturing sector, but also as a relevant player in infrastructure development across Latin America.

Explore real success stories of companies that implemented nearshoring strategies and expanded their operations into Mexico!

Artificial Intelligence and Energy Demand

The accelerated growth of AI-based tools has significantly evolved the technological requirements of the digital industry.

Applications related to generative models, business automation, predictive analytics, and large-scale data processing now require infrastructure with greater storage and computing capacity.

Unlike traditional digital systems, AI models consume far greater volumes of energy due to the number of servers required for their operation, as well as the use of specialized chips and cooling systems necessary to maintain continuous functionality.

According to estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy consumption by data centers could double by 2030, driven primarily by the growth of AI and cloud services.

Against this backdrop, Mexico is positioning itself as a strategic alternative for technology companies seeking to expand their digital infrastructure in Latin America, with its proximity to the United States and the regional surge in data processing as key advantages.

At the same time, the development of these projects has increasingly placed pressure on the country’s energy capacity, as these facilities require stable power supplies, efficient transmission networks, and constant energy availability to prevent operational interruptions.

Based on this, companies specializing in digital infrastructure have begun prioritizing locations capable of offering reliable and highly scalable long-term energy access, making electricity availability one of the primary competitive factors in attracting technology investors.

Strategic States for Data Centers

The growth of the data center industry in Mexico is not evenly distributed. Investment is concentrated in specific states selected based on logistical, energy, and digital connectivity factors.

Among the regions with the greatest participation in this sector, Querétaro stands out as the country’s leading data center hub.

Its proximity to Mexico City, combined with the availability of industrial infrastructure and fiber optic connectivity, has enabled Querétaro to attract multiple international companies specializing in cloud and digital storage services.

According to the Mexican Data Center Association (MEXDC), approximately 73% of Mexico’s installed data center capacity is concentrated in Querétaro, positioning it as one of the most relevant markets for digital infrastructure in Latin America.

Discover why Puebla is already one of the most attractive states for foreign investment in Mexico!

Nuevo León is also gaining relevance, driven by the ongoing promotion of nearshoring and the industrial growth associated with trade with the United States.

Monterrey, in the face of manufacturing and technological expansion, has successfully stimulated new market needs such as data processing, enterprise connectivity, and specialized digital services.

Similarly, regions such as Jalisco and the State of Mexico have begun attracting technology infrastructure investments due to the expansion of industrial parks, telecommunications networks, and digital transformation projects.

Given this landscape, geographic location within Mexican territory becomes a determining factor for international companies, as data centers require close proximity to large urban centers with access to robust electrical grids and immediate connectivity to international markets.

Economic and Technological Impact

The current expansion of data centers in Mexico is not limited to growth within the technology sector—it also generates a direct impact across various segments of the national economy.

The construction and operation of this type of infrastructure drives demand in related industries such as engineering, construction, telecommunications, energy, and specialized services, while simultaneously generating new investment and employment opportunities throughout the country.

Additionally, the arrival of international companies focused on digital infrastructure promotes technology transfer and the development of technical capabilities within the industry, particularly in areas linked to automation, cybersecurity, AI, and network management.

Discover how Google is driving technological growth and attracting foreign investment in Puebla!

According to projections from the Mexican Data Center Association (MEXDC) and technology sector organizations, investments related to data centers could exceed nine billion dollars in Mexico over the coming years, driven primarily by the growth of the country’s digital ecosystem.

This growth strengthens Mexico’s competitiveness on the international stage, enabling global companies to store and process information locally, reducing response times and continuously improving the operational efficiency of digital platforms.

Furthermore, the growth of digital infrastructure indirectly benefits multiple sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, smart logistics, and advanced manufacturing, all of which increasingly depend on digital systems capable of operating in real time.

Challenges: Energy, Water, and Regulation

While data centers in Mexico are experiencing accelerated growth, their development faces significant challenges primarily related to energy consumption, water availability, and regulatory frameworks within the country.

One of the most visible challenges from the outset is national electricity capacity, as data centers require large volumes of energy to keep servers, cooling systems, and all operational components running 24 hours a day.

In some regions of the country, the accelerated growth of new projects has begun to place pressure on existing electrical grids, raising serious concerns about long-term energy supply capacity.

Similarly, the intensive use of water in cooling systems represents a persistent challenge in this industry, particularly in states facing conditions of water stress or limited supply.

In response to these challenges, various technology companies are increasingly compelled to implement new strategies focused on energy efficiency, water reuse, and the adoption of renewable energy sources as part of their sustainability objectives.

Industry specialists also point out that it is necessary to strengthen regulatory frameworks related to digital infrastructure, energy permits, and urban development, with the aim of facilitating new investments without compromising the operational stability of the regions receiving them.

Finally, the growth of data centers in Mexico reflects how the country’s progressive consolidation has enabled it to become a strategic player in the global digital economy—attracting foreign investment focused on technological infrastructure and positioning itself as one of the leading emerging markets for the development of digital services in Latin America.

References

Amazon Web Services (AWS) | AWS Mexico (Central) Region

Expansión | Data centers in Mexico face challenges, the most urgent being the lack of energy

Expansión | Data centers, on the rise, will contribute 5.2% of Mexico’s GDP

The Logistics World | Data centers and semiconductors mark a new wave of investment in Mexico

Prodensa | Data Centers in Mexico: 2025 Report

DatacenterDynamics (DCD) | Data center projects and investments in Latin America and Europe, 2025

Mexico Industry | Mexico stands out as a key destination for data center investment

Vanguardia Industrial | Mexico as an AI hub: investment, talent, and data centers

MEXDC | The Data Center

COMCE | Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade

La Silla Rota | Data centers in Mexico: more water or more energy?

Javier Pedraza

Recent Posts

¿Qué pasa cuando la inversión extranjera se convierte en un asunto de seguridad nacional?

Durante décadas, la inversión extranjera directa (IED) fue entendida principalmente como un mecanismo para atraer…

3 days ago

The New Geography of World Trade: The Routes That Drive the Global Economy

Underpinning the movement of goods, energy, and raw materials is a complex network of maritime…

5 days ago

La nueva geografía del comercio mundial: las rutas que mueven la economía global

 Detrás del movimiento de bienes, energía y materias primas existe una compleja red de corredores…

1 week ago

Why Do Some Countries Attract Investment… While Others Are Left Off the Map?

Before setting up a plant, launching operations, or venturing into a new market, companies meticulously…

1 month ago

¿Por qué algunos países atraen inversión… y otros se quedan fuera del mapa?

La estrategia es parte primordial para la Inversión Extranjera Directa Antes de instalar una planta,…

1 month ago

Reino Unido se incorpora al TIPAT

El pasado 22 de junio de 2026 se dio a conocer la adhesión por parte…

2 months ago