Uruguay. In 2015, the company opened a data center in Chile. Now, after dedicated planning and analysis, Google Cloud is taking another step with the construction of a second data center in Latin America, this time in Canelones, Uruguay.
"At Google, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, including in the way we design and manage our data centers. Our 28 data centers in 11 countries are among the highest performing, most secure, reliable, and efficient in the world. On average, a data center operated by Google is 1.8 times more energy efficient than a typical data center, and compared to five years ago, we now offer about four times more computing power using the same amount of electrical power. We have taken global leadership in the fight against climate change through a strong commitment to clean energy. And we are proud to transfer this commitment to our new data center in Uruguay, which already uses renewable energy in more than 90% of its energy matrix," the company said.
Google Cloud also reported that it will invest more than $850 million in the new data center, which will bring greater connectivity to the entire region, help boost the development of governments, businesses and communities, and improve access to the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement consolidates the organization's commitment to the pillars that have been the foundation of its presence in the region: creating opportunities through digital empowerment, expanding infrastructure to drive economic development, and supporting a more sustainable future.
Digital opportunities and skills
Along with programs like Google Career Certificates, Google Cloud has invested in expanding access to the Google Cloud Skills Boost platform, which offers on-demand training and skills development. As part of this effort, work is already underway with more than 550 universities in Latin America to offer a robust and continuously updated portfolio of learning resources to ensure students are ready to take advantage of the opportunities created by new technologies. As a result, more than 35,000 digital skills badges have been awarded to individual students and developers in Latin America over the past 18 months.
In Uruguay, they are collaborating with local universities such as the Technological University (UTEC) and the University of Montevideo (UM) to incorporate technological content into related courses. And they have worked to promote business and innovation with two startup academies along with key ecosystem partners in Uruguay: the National Development Agency (ANDE) and the National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII).
"We hope that our new data center in Canelones will be a significant contribution to the professional and technological development of Uruguay and the entire region. As we begin construction and as we do in each of our data center communities, we will continue to invest resources in Data Center Community Impact Programs that harness the full potential of technology, including digital skills trainings and new projects that generate economic and social impact." The organization added.
Google Cloud has invested in technical infrastructure to help improve connectivity and access to digital services, including Google products such as Search, Gmail and YouTube and Google Cloud. These investments include submarine cables such as Firmina, Tannat, Curie and Humboldt, the first cable route between South America and Asia-Pacific, as well as Google Cloud's regions in São Paulo, Brazil, Santiago de Chile and the future region in Querétaro, Mexico.
