Acciona Data Center Study Hinges on Brazil Tax Break
Brazil · BUSINESS
Key Facts
- —Status Acciona is studying a data center project in Rio Grande do Norte, with no decision taken.
- —Incentive The Redata tax regime, created by a provisional measure, lapsed in February 2026; a replacement bill is in the Senate.
- —Business model Acciona would build the infrastructure and the renewable generation unit to power the data center.
- —Existing operations Acciona runs the São Paulo metro Line 6-Orange and bought two wind projects in Bahia.
- —Market context Brazil’s data center sector could attract US$11.4 billion in 2026, according to Brasscom.
The Spanish group is weighing its first Brazilian data center project. But the final go-ahead depends on a federal tax incentive that is still stuck in Congress.
Acciona data center plans in Brazil hinge on a federal tax break that is still awaiting final approval. The Spanish group is studying a project in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte.
But its director says public incentives are essential.
Studying the Market
According to Valor Econômico, Acciona data center entry into Brazil is under study. Country director André De Angelo told the daily that entry still depends on public incentives.
The Acciona data center vertical in Brazil is being studied, De Angelo told NeoFeed. The project is at evaluation stage only, with no final investment decision, budget, or timetable announced.
Acciona data center has published no investment figure, capacity, or timeline for the project. Any entry still depends on Redata incentives, which await Senate approval.
However, the company has not yet decided to enter the market. Any final move still depends on the approval of Redata incentives.
Acciona data center eyes Rio Grande do Norte
Moreover, Acciona chose Rio Grande do Norte for its first data center study, per NeoFeed and Valor Econômico. No city or municipality has been named.
The state is among Brazil’s largest wind producers, with over 300 wind plants in operation. However, a significant portion of its renewable generation is curtailed due to grid limitations.
However, the state’s grid curtailment affected 23.2 percent of wind and solar capacity in early 2026. This could pose a challenge for powering a data center reliably.
Meanwhile, the state’s renewable energy potential is a key draw. However, grid limitations may complicate powering a data center.
The Business Model
The model under study involves developing the entire infrastructure, including a renewable generation unit to power the data center. Acciona would also take part in the operation, according to NeoFeed.
This approach aligns with Acciona’s existing renewable energy business in Brazil. The group has bought two wind projects in Bahia from Casa dos Ventos, with a combined capacity of up to 850 MW.
In addition, Acciona would develop the entire infrastructure, including renewable generation. This model mirrors its existing wind projects in Bahia, which total up to 850 MW.
In addition, Acciona would develop the entire infrastructure, including power generation. This model mirrors its existing wind projects in Brazil.
The Tax Break
The incentive Acciona is waiting on is Redata, the Special Tax Regime for Data Center Services. It suspends federal taxes on purchases and imports of electronic components and IT goods for data centers.
Redata was created by Provisional Measure 1,318 of 2025, but that measure lapsed in February 2026. A replacement bill, Bill 278/2026, has passed the lower house and is now in the Senate.
Bill 278/2026, replacing the lapsed measure, suspends taxes for five years. It also requires clean power, R&D spending, and domestic supply commitments.
However, the replacement bill still awaits Senate approval. Until then, the incentive’s future remains uncertain.
Regional Advantage
In addition, companies installing data centers in the North, Northeast, and Centre-West get up to 20 percent reduction in counterpart requirements. Rio Grande do Norte is in the Northeast, so Acciona’s chosen location qualifies for softer terms.
These counterpart conditions include clean power, 2 percent R&D investment, and domestic supply commitments. Since Rio Grande do Norte is in the Northeast, it qualifies for reduced counterpart requirements.
This could ease Acciona’s compliance burden if the project proceeds. Since Rio Grande do Norte is in the Northeast, it qualifies for reduced requirements.
This could ease Acciona’s compliance burden if the project proceeds.
Existing Operations
Acciona already has a strong presence in Brazil, particularly in transport and energy. It holds the concession to build and operate Line 6-Orange of the São Paulo metro, a public-private partnership with the state government.
Meanwhile, the metro line, with over 19 billion reais committed, opens its first stretch by end of 2026. Acciona has also entered the sanitation business, though details of those contracts are not public.
Acciona’s sanitation business in Brazil lacks public details on contracts or scale. Still, its metro and energy projects show significant local commitment.
Meanwhile, Acciona’s metro project has created over 10,000 jobs. Its energy ventures in Bahia add up to 850 MW of wind capacity.
Market Potential
In fact, Brazil’s data center sector could draw US$11.4 billion in 2026, says Brasscom. That figure was reported by O Globo.
Over a longer horizon, Brasscom projects 60–100 billion reais for about 200 new data centers from 2026 to 2030. This suggests significant growth potential for new entrants like Acciona.
However, Brazil’s installed data center capacity estimates vary from 638 MW to 1 GW. This uncertainty reflects the market’s early stage and potential for growth.
However, Brazil’s data center capacity estimates vary widely. This uncertainty reflects the market’s early stage and potential for growth.
Challenges Ahead
One challenge is the curtailment of renewable energy in Rio Grande do Norte. From January to July 2026, 23.2 percent of the state’s wind and solar capacity was curtailed by the grid operator.
However, wind and solar firms in the state could get 780 million reais, but only if they join a ministry scheme. This compensation has not yet been paid.
Moreover, the 780 million reais compensation scheme is not yet paid. Generators must join and face a 6 billion reais debt to the electricity chamber.
Moreover, the compensation scheme for curtailed power is not yet active. Generators must join and face a 6 billion reais debt to the electricity chamber.
Competition
Acciona would be entering a competitive market. The largest announced data center projects in Brazil are in the neighboring state of Ceará, at the Pecém port complex.
For example, ByteDance, TikTok’s owner, plans 200 billion reais over ten years at Pecém, per G1 Ceará. Acciona’s project is still in the study phase, with no comparable scale announced.
Meanwhile, Pecém’s projects dwarf Acciona’s study, with ByteDance planning 200 billion reais. Acciona’s entry remains tentative, with no comparable scale announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Redata?
Redata is the Special Tax Regime for Data Center Services. A federal incentive that suspends taxes on purchases and imports of electronic components and IT goods for data centers.
Why is Acciona interested in Rio Grande do Norte?
Acciona chose Rio Grande do Norte to study its first data center project in Brazil. Likely due to the state’s abundant renewable energy and the softer counterpart requirements for data centers in the Northeast.
Has Acciona made a final decision on the data center?
No, Acciona is still studying the possibility and has not taken a final investment decision. The project is at evaluation stage, and the company has not published any budget, capacity, or timetable.
What is the status of Bill 278/2026?
Bill 278/2026, which would replace the lapsed provisional measure, has been approved by the lower house of Congress. It is currently with the Senate, where no final plenary approval had been recorded as of August 2026.
Connected Coverage
Sources: Valor Econômico; NeoFeed; O Globo; Terra; Exame; G1 Ceará; Reuters; Tribuna do Norte; Agora RN; Cenário Energia; GRI Hub News; Metrô CPTM; Câmara dos Deputados; Senado Federal; Anatel; Ministério das Comunicações; MDIC; Acciona.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
Read More from The Rio Times