ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is reportedly considering a significant investment in a wind-powered data center on Brazil’s northeast coast, marking its latest move to strengthen its global infrastructure. The tech giant is considering a project that could eventually reach 1GW, beginning with an initial 300MW build in Ceará’s Pecem port complex, according to Reuters, which quoted three sources close to the talks.
Although ByteDance and Casa dos Ventos, the renewable energy firm reportedly involved, both refused to comment specifically on the project, indications suggest they are engaged in serious talks. Casa dos Ventos has gone on record as vowing to make Pecem a green energy and technology innovation hub, already working on what would be Brazil’s largest data center and green hydrogen venture, powered entirely by renewables.
ByteDance’s global expansion approach via colocation partnerships and direct investments has been gaining momentum. In March 2025, TikTok pledged $8.8 billion towards new data center developments in Thailand over five years. Meanwhile, the firm has been strengthening its infrastructure in Europe and Asia through facilities such as Bridge Data Centres’ MY06 in Malaysia and Ireland and Norway-based centers.
In Brazil, though, constructing directly in Ceará would represent a strategic divergence. While the established markets of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro present more competition from established players, Fortaleza — although hosting carriers such as Ascenty and Scala — is a smaller market with unfulfilled potential, particularly for green, large-scale deployments.
Challenges persist. Grid stability issues stifled earlier attempts by Casa dos Ventos to open a data center in Pecem. Nevertheless, with Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry now considering increased support for data centers in underdeveloped areas, things may be on the verge of changing.
If completed, ByteDance’s expansion into Ceará would not only redefine the market for data centers in Brazil; it would establish a new benchmark for technology firms pursuing environmentally friendly, scalable growth in emerging markets.
