The government of Luis Lacalle Pou has granted the multinational company Google the license to build its data center in the Science Park, located in Canelones, Uruguay. The authorization came after intense negotiations and modifications to the original project, according to the Minister of Environment, Robert Bouvier.
The talks, which were held under a strict confidentiality agreement, began during the administration of Tabaré Vázquez. The then Minister of Industry, Carolina Cosse, was fundamental in this process, including a trip to Google’s headquarters on the west coast of the United States. The efforts to secure this investment continued until the end of October last year, when Google confirmed the construction of the data center in a meeting with the current government headed by Luis Lacalle Pou.
At the meeting, Google announced that it had decided to “reformulate” the initial design, opting to build a single building instead of two. This change would reduce storage capacity to a third of what was originally planned. Additionally, the company announced that it would replace the use of potable water in the cooling system with “chillers,” a technique used in the Antel data center in Pando, thus avoiding controversies over the use of water resources.
Construction phases and energy consumption
Construction of the data center will be carried out in four stages over a period of 26 months, generating employment for between 300 and 400 people, with a peak of approximately 800 workers.
Once operational, it is expected that around 50 people will work at the facility. The data center will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will be supplied with energy by UTE through an electrical substation located on the same site.
The change to an electric cooling system raised the need to detail energy consumption. Google estimated a maximum of 560 GWh per year when the data center reaches full capacity, although the initial agreement with UTE provides for providing up to 420 GWh annually.
This consumption is in line with the baseline of carbon dioxide emissions that Uruguay reported to the United Nations for 2030. Annual emissions are estimated at around 25 thousand tons of carbon dioxide.
Key points about Google data center authorization
The government’s authorization was subject to “strict compliance” with seven conditions, as established by Minister Bouvier. Google has a period of two years to start the project, otherwise the authorization will be void. Among the conditions, it is stipulated that during construction the Gonzalo “Gonchi” Rodriguez road will not be used and that the Environmental Management Plan for Construction must be updated.
This plan must include specific programs for construction waste management, traffic management, effluent management and community relations. In addition, Google must build and operate the data center in accordance with the documents submitted, except in those aspects that contradict the conditions imposed by the resolution.
Another requirement is that Dinacea be informed in writing in advance of the start of the works. Within 45 days of operation of each data center module, the company will have to present the results of the NPS monitoring in the sensitive receptors and the executive project with the implementation schedule of the proposed mitigation measures.
Furthermore, all monitoring records during the operation must be made available to Dinacea at the project site. In the event of identifying unforeseen environmental impacts, Google must propose mitigation measures and submit them for evaluation and approval by Dinacea.
Finally, any variation from the original authorised project must be communicated to Dinacea for analysis and prior approval. These conditions are essential to ensure that the environmental impact of the project is adequately managed and remains in line with national regulations.
