ByteDance Initiates Construction of $39B Data Center in Brazil — The Largest Outside China
ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has begun the construction of its largest data center complex outside China. This massive $39 billion (R$200 billion) campus is located at the Pecém port complex in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil.
Currently, hundreds of workers are on-site, working tirelessly to build the facility. Upon completion, the data center will start operations with approximately 200 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity. It is designed to scale up to nearly 1 gigawatt — a capacity comparable to a small power grid. The campus will initially feature 20 data halls, with the first hall expected to be operational by late 2027.
The power supply for the facility is secured through a $2 billion, 20-year renewable energy deal signed in May 2026 with Brazilian wind developer Casa dos Ventos. This deal involves the 630 MW Ibiapaba wind complex and the Dom Inocêncio farm in the neighboring Piauí state. With nearly 90% of its electricity generated from renewable sources, Brazil is an attractive destination for energy-intensive AI infrastructure.
The facility is reportedly built to cater to TikTok’s global operational needs outside Brazil, the U.S., Europe, and China. This investment is in line with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva‘s strategy to strengthen ties with Chinese capital. It also complements ByteDance’s broader initiative to expand its international AI infrastructure footprint amidst the ongoing U.S.-China tech tensions. Chinese competitor Alibaba is also reportedly in discussions to lease space in a São Paulo data center cluster.
Source: Bloomberg – ByteDance Picks Brazil for Largest Data Center Outside China