How ESG Strategy Guides Elea with $150m for AI Data Centres
Elea Data Centers, Brazil’s leading sustainable data centre platform and the first in Latin America to implement large-scale AI infrastructure, has completed the issuance of BRL 790 million (around US$150 million) in sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs).
This marks the company’s third transaction of this type and its fifth debenture issuance overall, further solidifying its position as a major player in the region’s data centre market.
ESG targets tied to bond issuance
The new bonds are directly linked to Elea’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. These include improving power usage effectiveness (PUE) and increasing female representation in leadership positions.
By tying financial instruments to measurable performance metrics, the company demonstrates its long-term commitment to sustainable growth and social responsibility.
The transaction was led by Bradesco BBI as the lead coordinator, with participation from UBS BB, BTG Pactual, Itaú BBA and, for the first time, Santander.
The involvement of major financial institutions underscores market confidence in Elea’s strategy and reflects growing investor appetite for sustainable infrastructure projects.
“This transaction consolidates an investment cycle that began last year, when we acquired our new assets in São Paulo,” says Alessandro Lombardi, Founder and Chairman of Elea Data Centers.
“Now, with this refinancing, we are transforming the acquisition of those assets – initially funded with current liquidity – into a long-term investment, supported by a more efficient and sustainable capital structure.”
Following this milestone, Alessandro explains that Elea will shift its focus towards new fundraising initiatives aimed at supporting AI projects, including the company’s flagship development, Rio AI City.
Expanding the São Paulo portfolio
The funds are tied to Elea’s existing portfolio of nine data centres, which serve both enterprise clients and global technology providers.
In July 2024, the company expanded its footprint with the acquisition of two strategically located facilities in Greater São Paulo.
The sites, SPO2 in São Bernardo do Campo and SPO3 in Barueri, were chosen for their proximity to submarine cable landing points and access to reliable energy infrastructure.
These assets are intended to strengthen Elea’s ability to deliver high-performance IT services while meeting the demands of customers who require low-latency connectivity and resilient power.
By refinancing the acquisition through SLBs, Elea is ensuring that its capital structure is both sustainable and aligned with the long-term growth of Brazil’s digital economy.
Financing AI infrastructure growth
With demand for AI infrastructure accelerating, Elea is positioning itself to meet the increasing requirements of customers deploying high-density computing environments.
The company’s Rio AI City project exemplifies this ambition, representing a large-scale hub designed to host advanced AI workloads while adhering to sustainability principles.
The choice to link its financing strategy to ESG targets also reflects the growing importance of sustainability in the data centre sector.
Investors and customers alike are seeking assurance that operators can scale responsibly, balancing performance with energy efficiency and diversity in leadership.
“Now, with this refinancing, we are transforming the acquisition of these assets – initially funded with current liquidity – into a long-term investment, supported by a more efficient and sustainable capital structure,” Alessandro adds.
Strengthening confidence in Brazil’s data centre sector
The success of this issuance highlights both Elea’s credibility in the market and the broader momentum of Brazil’s data centre sector.
As cloud adoption and AI deployments grow, reliable and sustainable digital infrastructure has become critical to meeting the country’s technological and economic ambitions.
By aligning financing with ESG-linked performance, Elea is setting a precedent for how data centre operators in Latin America can attract investment while driving innovation.
With nine facilities in its portfolio and new projects under development, the company is expanding its role as a cornerstone of Brazil’s digital economy.
