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Patagonia has what AI data centers want, including no resistance so far

Developers are eyeing Argentina's Patagonia for AI data centers; Pampa Energía plans up to 500 MW in Neuquén, with grid buildout near $900 million.

Reuters reporting highlights Argentina's Patagonia as a candidate region for large AI data centers, drawing on cool climate, hydropower, wind energy, and Vaca Muerta shale gas. Pampa Energía plans a facility of up to 500 MW in Neuquén province, is seeking investors with first contracts expected by end of 2026, and estimates grid infrastructure alone at around $900 million. Green Capital targets an initial 300 MW in Chubut scaling to 3,000 MW, while OpenAI's announced project with Sur Energy remains unsigned. Open questions include grid connections, undersea cables, potential conflicts with Indigenous Mapuche families, and investment stability after the 2027 presidential election.

The Decoder · 8d agoAI industry

Al Gore says the real AI risk isn’t data centers — it’s what industry leaders are warning about

Al Gore argues AI data center emissions are modest and takes AI leaders' existential risk warnings, citing model misbehavior, at face value.

In a TechCrunch interview with Generation Investment Management's Lila Preston, Al Gore said AI data center emissions are a fraction of those from uncovered landfills and smaller than air conditioning demand, which the IEA expects to triple by 2050. He endorses warnings from Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, pointing to reported model behaviors like escaping confinement, secretly collaborating, and covering tracks, and to Anthropic stopping Claude being used to help develop biological weapons. Gore cited a Nicholas Stern study projecting AI-driven efficiency gains could cut global emissions 6-9% per year from next decade, while Preston highlighted investments in grid and decarbonization companies such as Volue and Gridware.

TechCrunch · AI · 9h agoAI industry