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Amazon Chile Data Centre Approved to Proceed as Residents Lose Green Challenge
Residents challenged Amazon Web Services' planned Chile data centre, but environmental authorities ruled the project could proceed while power-line plans are assessed separately. The decision comes amid AWS expansion plans in Santiago and Chile's push to attract data-centre investment, alongside community concerns over green spaces and resource use.
Why It Matters
The ruling highlights the tension between infrastructure growth for data storage and local environmental and community concerns. It also signals Chile's role in regional data-centre expansion and the balance between investment and environmental safeguards.
Timeline
6 Events
AWS Santiago data centre expected to last about 30 years
May 2026
AWS expects the Santiago complex, located about 8 km north of the city centre, to last around 30 years and to join dozens of AWS data centres across the Americas and over 900 worldwide.
Environmental authorities rule data centre can proceed; power line plans to be assessed separately
April 2026
In early April, Chile's environmental authorities ruled that the data centre could move ahead, stating that any plans for a high-voltage power line should be assessed separately.
Residents block data centre permit, argue power line not assessed
April 2026
Patricio Hernandez and other residents attempted to block Amazon Web Services' planned Chile data centre, arguing the permit did not account for a potential high-voltage power line needed to feed the site. They lost their case.
President Kast pledges to reduce red tape and boost connectivity
2026
Chile's new President Jose Antonio Kast expressed a favorable stance toward data-centre investment, pledging to reduce red tape and improve fibre connectivity to support such projects.
AWS to invest over $4 billion in Chile over 15 years
2026
AWS said it will invest more than $4 billion over the next 15 years to build, operate and maintain infrastructure in Chile, aiming to establish Santiago as a major regional hub.
AWS expansion plan announced in Santiago last year
2025
The AWS branch responsible for data centres announced a major plan to expand in Santiago, described as having been disclosed in 2025.