Max Elmann, CCE President, Outlines Strategic AIFA Corridor Development
Max Elmann, President of the Investment Committee at the Mexican Employers’ Coordinating Council (CCE), believes that Mexico has the perfect combination of strategic location, specialized talent, and a developing regulatory framework to become the most significant data center hub in Latin America.
Projected Investments and CCE’s Role
Elmann projects that Mexico could attract $9.2 billion in direct investments for data centers over the next five years, with indirect investments potentially reaching $27 billion. The CCE plays a crucial role as a facilitator, connecting global operators with Mexico’s opportunities.
The AIFA corridor (Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles) is designated as one of the 15 Development Poles in Plan México, serving as the initial cluster for data centers. The northern corridor, encompassing regions from Bajío to the US border via San Luis Potosí, Monterrey, Reynosa, Jalisco, Durango, and Sonora, aims to attract investments.
Strategic Corridors and Collaborative Efforts
The strategy focuses on developing corridors, some of which are already in progress but not always visible due to their long-term nature. The goal is to finalize these projects and materialize investments as soon as possible.
Elmann confirmed that locations align with the development poles announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum as part of Plan México. He also mentioned that all levels of government are involved in ensuring investments materialize.
Querétaro’s High Potential
Adriana Rivera Cerecedo, Director of the Mexican Data Centers Association (MexDC), explained that Querétaro currently holds 55.8 Mega Watts (MW) of installed capacity, which accounts for 69% of Mexico’s total. It will maintain its leadership until 2029.
- Ciudad de México: 26.5 MW
- Monterrey: 21.3 MW
- Guadalajara: 7 MW
- Other cities: 2 MW
Querétaro’s appeal stems from its robust connectivity and energy availability, crucial for data center operations. Its geographical location allows it to serve central Mexico and major industrial corridors.
The AIFA corridor is seen as a promising investment opportunity, with Elmann expressing optimism about investments in the State of Mexico, particularly in AIFA and Jilotepec, where connectivity and energy are already available.
