datacenterHawk

Tenants who signed at $75/kW are renewing at $130-$150, and the headline rate no longer tells the full story. Ed and Montana Meyer break down powered shells, yield-on-cost deals, triple nets, and why a $15/kW pricing miss compounds into millions across a 100MW campus.📊 Get more market insights HERE🤝 Speak with someone from our global data team HERE💻 Book a platform demo HERE

This episode is in Spanish. English + Spanish summary below.
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In this episode of datacenterHawk's Latin America podcast series, Analyst Daniel Correia and Regional Director Steve Sasse speak with Francisco Basoalto, Managing Director of Equinix Chile and Peru, at Equinix's ST2 facility in Santiago. Basoalto describes how Equinix has grown its retail colocation share in Santiago to roughly 38% since acquiring Entel's data center assets in 2022, investing in carrier neutrality, interconnection, and new capacity, including Santiago's first liquid cooling-capable facility for AI workloads. The conversation covers Chile's recent reform to environmental permitting thresholds, which could cut approval timelines from over a year to roughly six months, as well as the structural advantages driving Santiago's growth: a significant renewable energy surplus, strong connectivity, and political stability across administrations. Despite hyperscale buildouts from AWS, Microsoft, and Google, all demand remains concentrated in Santiago, though an upcoming Asia-South America submarine cable could eventually shift that picture.---En este episodio de la serie de podcasts de datacenterHawk para América Latina, el Analista Daniel Correia y el Director Regional Steve Sasse conversan con Francisco Basoalto, Director General de Equinix Chile y Perú, en las instalaciones ST2 de Equinix en Santiago. Basoalto describe cómo Equinix ha incrementado su participación en el mercado de colocación retail en Santiago a aproximadamente un 38% desde la adquisición de los activos de centros de datos de Entel en 2022, invirtiendo en neutralidad de carriers, interconexión y nueva capacidad, incluyendo la primera instalación con enfriamiento líquido en Santiago para cargas de trabajo de inteligencia artificial. La conversación aborda la reciente reforma a los umbrales de permisos ambientales, que podría reducir los plazos de aprobación de más de un año a aproximadamente seis meses, así como las ventajas estructurales que impulsan el crecimiento de Santiago: un importante excedente de energía renovable, conectividad sólida y estabilidad política a través de múltiples administraciones. A pesar de las construcciones a hiperescala de AWS, Microsoft y Google, toda la demanda permanece concentrada en Santiago, aunque un próximo cable submarino entre Asia y Sudamérica podría eventualmente cambiar ese panorama.

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At the Advancing Data Center Construction Conference, Mike Netzer of datacenterHawk sat down with Tobe Aguocha, Senior Director of Project Management at EdgeConneX. Their discussion offered a look into how EdgeConneX sustains its rapid growth while navigating the complex logistics of modern hyperscale delivery.
Dr. Aguocha’s career path mirrors the industry's evolution. Starting in architecture, he transitioned through commercial and retail construction before specializing in the mission-critical space with giants like Amazon and Microsoft. At EdgeConneX, he oversees data center delivery for the Americas, managing projects from the engineering handoff through to operations. His background provides a unique perspective on bridging design with the practicalities of hyperscale construction.
Aguocha identified three major hurdles in project execution: procurement, power, and skilled labor. Supply chain volatility continues to cause equipment delays, but power availability is an even greater challenge. Securing a site with adequate power and holding that capacity is a significant risk. Furthermore, a growing scarcity of skilled labor presents a major obstacle, as experienced professionals retire without a sufficient pipeline of new talent to replace them.
With project timelines extending up to two years, customer needs can change significantly from lease signing to delivery. Aguocha stressed that while flexibility is crucial, it requires rigorous oversight. EdgeConneX accommodates client changes that improve project standards, but only after a strict change management process evaluates the impact on cost and schedule. This ensures project integrity while meeting evolving client requirements.
Looking forward, Aguocha is excited about the industry’s rapid expansion, driven by AI and cloud computing. He described "velocity" as the key to success—moving fast and efficiently to meet demand. He believes data centers will soon be seen as essential infrastructure, similar to hospitals, as they become vital for AI delivery. The focus is on innovating processes to satisfy clients at the forefront of technology.
The conversation highlights a critical moment for the data center industry. As demand accelerates, success depends on managing logistical challenges without sacrificing speed. For investors and professionals, the message is clear: securing power, fortifying supply chains, and cultivating new talent are no longer just operational details—they are the primary drivers of value in the hyperscale era.
From Architecture to Mission CriticalThe Triple Constraint: Power, Procurement, and PeopleBalancing Flexibility with ExecutionThe Velocity of AI and InnovationConclusion

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In the latest datacenterHawk podcast, Founder and CEO David Liggitt and VP of Sales & Marketing Mike Netzer unpacked key takeaways from the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) conference. Their discussion highlighted a maturing market facing rising demand, financing challenges, and the need for stronger community relations.
Here are the five trends shaping the future of digital infrastructure:
Pricing has surged 50-75% over the last three to four years due to a supply-constrained market. Higher construction costs, extended timelines, and power shortages are driving these increases. Companies now pay premiums for speed to market, with nuanced pricing structures becoming the norm. End users often pitch in with supply chain resources or capital, making understanding true "all-in" costs critical.
As project sizes balloon, traditional debt markets are adapting. Rising interest rates and stricter underwriting have paved the way for private credit markets. These offer developers alternative financing while filtering out less-prepared entrants. Access to capital is now a key differentiator, as end users prioritize developers with the resources to complete large-scale projects.
Market demand has skyrocketed, with datacenterHawk tracking 15.5 GW of North American leasing in 2025, up from 6.8 GW in 2024. While hyperscalers once dominated, AI and high-performance computing users are now signing leases for hundreds of megawatts. However, power delivery delays could hinder actual absorption despite strong demand.
Constraints in major markets like Northern Virginia and Dallas are pushing development into secondary and tertiary regions. Remote areas with available power are emerging as new hubs. However, rural locations often lack infrastructure like roads and utilities, making development more complex. Developers are also repurposing distressed assets in major cities to secure space.
Community pushback is a growing challenge as data centers expand into unaccustomed regions. Large facilities bring concerns about noise, water usage, and aesthetics, leading to stalled projects. Developers must engage proactively with communities, educating them on benefits like tax revenue and infrastructure improvements to gain support.
The data center industry in 2026 is defined by growth and complexity. Operators must navigate rising costs, secure financing, and address community concerns to thrive. As the digital world’s needs expand, the infrastructure supporting it must adapt faster than ever.
Pricing Shifts and Market RealitiesThe Role of Private Credit in FinancingThe "Gigawatt Era" and Unprecedented DemandExpansion into Secondary MarketsCommunity Sentiment as a Market ForceConclusion

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Latin America accounts for just 2.2% of the world’s data center capacity but represents one of the fastest-growing opportunities in digital infrastructure. While the U.S. and Asia continue their rapid expansion, LATAM is on the brink of transformation, driven by regulatory changes, renewable energy, and rising interconnection demand.
At PTC in Hawaii, Steve Sasse, VP for Latin America at datacenterHawk, spoke with Eduardo Carvalho, Managing Director for Latin America at Equinix. Carvalho, a seasoned executive in the region, shared insights on market evolution, Brazil’s regulatory shifts, Mexico’s power challenges, and the hybrid future of retail and hyperscale deployments.
Brazil remains the heart of South America’s digital infrastructure, but high import taxes have long delayed hardware deployments. A critical legislative change could soon slash these tariffs from 54% to 2%, unlocking AI adoption and hyperscale growth. While hyperscalers wait for this decision before committing to large-scale projects, Equinix remains confident in its ecosystem-driven model, serving 1,000+ customers with interconnection products regardless of the legislation’s outcome.
The conversation also explored Mexico, focusing on Querétaro and Monterrey. Querétaro, an established hub, faces power transmission issues similar to other global hubs. Carvalho noted Equinix is exploring power alternatives and anticipates solutions soon.
Meanwhile, Monterrey emerges as a strong alternative, offering:
Proximity to the U.S. border: Enabling low-latency links to Dallas.
Lower power costs: Around $0.06 per kWh versus $0.11–$0.13 in Querétaro.
Access to natural gas infrastructure: Sharing resources with Western Texas.
Equinix aims to resolve Querétaro’s challenges but recognizes Monterrey’s undeniable growth potential.
A key theme was the distinction between hyperscale and retail interconnection. While Equinix participates in hyperscale through its xScale program (e.g., Google’s deployment at SP5), its strength lies in creating dense interconnection ecosystems.
Carvalho noted that even hyperscale operators rely on Equinix for interconnection services to ensure their clients connect to the broader internet. The region’s future is hybrid, with three verticals emerging:
Hyperscale: Massive MW deployments for cloud and AI.
Edge: Smaller facilities outside metro areas to reduce latency.
Retail: Interconnection hubs that tie it all together.
Despite its growth, the data center industry faces public perception challenges. Governments and communities often don’t understand the role data centers play in powering apps, banking, and essential services, leading to delays in permitting and power delivery.
Sasse and Carvalho agreed on the need for better industry “marketing.” Companies must educate officials and communities about the connection between data centers and economic growth, emphasizing their role in GDP and local benefits.
Though Latin America currently holds a small share of global capacity, its renewable energy, land availability, and stable ecosystem position it for rapid growth. For investors and IT professionals, success will depend on navigating regulatory complexities and power constraints. Those who embrace the hybrid mix of interconnection and scale will see the region’s growth in the next five years outpace the last two decades.
Brazil’s Regulatory Tipping PointPower Challenges and Opportunities in MexicoThe Ecosystem AdvantageFixing the Industry’s Marketing ProblemConclusion