Data Centers and Energy in Mexico: Reliability, Critical Infrastructure and Competitiveness in the Digital Economy
Energy attorney Rodolfo Rueda and Policy Advisor Santiago Isusi contributed to a report for the Institute of the Americas on Mexico's opportunity to become a leading digital infrastructure hub as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services and data center demand transform the relationship between technological infrastructure and energy systems. The report explains that energy availability has become a central factor in data center site selection, with transmission, distribution, interconnection capacity and reliable access to clean power now driving project viability. The authors highlight Mexico's competitive advantages, including its proximity to the United States, regional connectivity, technical talent and increased data center activity in markets, while noting that announced investment must be converted into connected infrastructure. They also outline policy priorities for Mexico, such as stronger electricity planning, investment in high-growth digital corridors, bankable frameworks for hybrid energy solutions, early attention to water and sustainability issues, and improved coordination among federal, state and local authorities to position the country to keep pace with the digital economy.