Introduction and Background
Located in the center-west of Querétaro, Mexico, the municipality of Colón is poised to become a major attraction for data center investments, according to President Municipal Gaspar Trueba Moncada.
Current Status
Currently, Colón hosts six data center units from leading global firms. However, Trueba Moncada projects that in the coming years, the municipality will concentrate the majority of new data center installations.
Vision and Plans
Trueba Moncada envisions Colón as a “data center city,” with data centers, residential areas, and businesses thriving together. To achieve this, the construction of a substation to ensure electricity supply is underway, specifically targeting data center attraction.
Although he acknowledges that data centers are not labor-intensive, Trueba Moncada highlights their role in generating high-specialization jobs.
Unique Advantages
- Geographical Location: Colón’s strategic position between the metropolitan and semi-desert areas of Querétaro, along with its proximity to the International Airport of Querétaro, is a significant advantage.
- Climate: Colón enjoys a privileged climate, making it an attractive location for data centers.
- Seismic Activity: The region’s low seismic activity is another appealing factor for data center investors.
Trueba Moncada estimates that Colón could host 20-30 data centers within the next 20 years, working closely with the state government to manage investments in this sector.
Challenges and Solutions
The municipality acknowledges challenges in urbanization, service provision, and housing development as the data center industry grows. To address these issues, Colón plans to announce a program for building 1,500 homes in collaboration with the federal government and private sector.
Regarding water demand for data centers, Trueba Moncada explains that the municipality and state government have agreed to drill new wells to supply water-scarce communities. He also emphasizes that private companies must adhere to water usage regulations.
Regulatory Oversight
Trueba Moncada addresses concerns about water consumption in data centers by stating that existing centers in Colón use water-recirculation technology, minimizing water usage.
The municipality constantly reviews all businesses, especially data centers, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Recent Developments
On September 25, executives from CloudHQ and federal officials confirmed that, with initial energy secured, the installation of six data centers by CloudHQ in Colón is progressing. The company plans to invest $4.8 billion in this project, with approximately 18 data centers currently installed and 10-12 more planned in Querétaro.
