Data centers and energy: the new stress test for the Chilean power grid

By Luis Santamaría, head of Cloud & Service Provider at Schneider Electric

For years, data centers were part of the invisible landscape that supports the digital economy. Today they have ceased to be a silent backbone and have become a factor that directly affects the country’s energy planning and its development strategy.

In this regard, the National Electric Coordinator projects that the electricity demand of these centers will grow by about 270% by 2030, rising from 325 MW in 2025 to 1,207 MW. In 2026 alone, four new projects are expected to come online, adding an additional 83.1 MW and bringing the installed capacity in the Metropolitan Region to 341.6 MW. In less than a decade, Santiago will have practically quadrupled its capacity compared to 2021, a clear sign of the speed at which digital infrastructure is expanding. 

However, the critical point is not the built area, but the energy density. The expansion of artificial intelligence is increasing the load per rack and the generation of heat inside data centers, which implies a higher concentration of energy per installed unit and continuous operational demands, with no room for interruptions. Growth, therefore, is not only physical; it is intensive in consumption. 

Chile, in this regard, is advancing in parallel in the transformation of its matrix. In 2024, 68% of electricity generation came from renewable sources, according to the National Electric Coordinator, positioning the country as a regional benchmark in clean energy penetration. Nevertheless, a greener matrix does not mean unlimited availability. Transmission challenges, integration of variable energies, and the need for firm capacity persist—factors that become more sensitive when intensive loads operating 24/7 are incorporated. 

The phenomenon also transcends borders. A Deloitte study anticipates that by 2035 the electricity demand of data centers linked to artificial intelligence could increase 30-fold globally. The trend suggests that pressure on electrical systems will be growing and structural, not cyclical. In this scenario, energy efficiency ceases to be a communication attribute and becomes a condition for viability. Technologies such as liquid cooling and advanced energy management systems make it possible to handle higher thermal loads, optimize consumption and anticipate failures, integrating operational intelligence into physical infrastructure. Incorporating them from the design stage can make the difference between harmonious expansion and a strained grid. 

The projected 1,200 MW are not just a figure that speaks of digital growth, but a reminder that technological development and energy planning are now deeply intertwined. Chile has the opportunity to establish itself as a regional digital hub, but that leadership will depend on its ability to grow coherently, ensuring that digital ambition does not outpace the resilience of the system that supports it. 

About Schneider Electric  

Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy technology, driving efficiency and sustainability through the electrification, automation, and digitalization of industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and networks to operate as open, interconnected ecosystems, improving performance, resilience, and sustainability. Its portfolio includes smart devices, software-defined architectures, AI-based systems, digital services, and expert consulting. With 160,000 employees and one million partners in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric consistently ranks among the most sustainable companies in the world.