“Paraguay Will Be a Hub for Digital Industrial Development Thanks to Bitcoin and AI”: Cecilia Llamosas

The doctor in energy policy asserts that the country is experiencing a "turning point" that could shape economic and technological development in the coming years

With sustained growth in the energy and technology sectors, Paraguay has consolidated its position among the world's four leading Bitcoin mining centers, a milestone that positions the country as a key node in the global digital economy. 

This was highlighted by Cecilia Llamosas, PhD in energy policy and head of Public Affairs at Penguin Group, who stated that the nation "is at a turning point" that could shape its economic and technological development for decades to come."

"When we talk about artificial intelligence (AI), we are talking about infrastructure, and Bitcoin mining has already built a large part of that foundation," said Llamosas in a recent interview. "Mining companies in Paraguay have shown remarkable flexibility, being able to reduce their load by up to 90% for 300 hours a year, in just 10 minutes. That shows that they are an ally in managing electricity demand, not a threat," he emphasized.

For Llamosas, Bitcoin mining does not compete with artificial intelligence, but rather complements and prepares it. "The industry is migrating globally, and Paraguay will also find a way to channel the same services that mining offers today so that AI can take advantage of them," he said.

Along these lines, he emphasized that the development of data centers for AI and the infrastructure installed by mining share critical needs: connectivity, redundancy, and electrical stability. "In terms of energy, there is no substantial difference, but AI requires a type of redundancy that can only be achieved with solid infrastructure, such as that already built by industrial mining," he explained.

A sector that already adds tangible value

Llamosas emphasized that Bitcoin mining has not only boosted the national electricity system, but has also transformed the value generation model. "Fourteen percent of ANDE's revenue last year came from contracts with mining companies. And when energy stays at home, it generates five times more value than when it is exported," he explained.

The doctor emphasized that this paradigm shift represents a "maturation of national energy use", where digital mining acts as a bridge to a more complex digital economy, in which Paraguay can become a major regional player.

The latest global hashrate map from Hashrate Index (Q4 2025) confirms the impact of this growth: Paraguay now controls 3.9% of the world's computing power (40 EH/s), ranking in the global top 4, behind the United States (37.8%), Russia (15.5%), and China (14.1%). The country surpasses powerhouses such as the United Arab Emirates and Canada, consolidating its position as the emerging capital of energy computing in South America.

"Bitcoin mining in Paraguay is the fourth largest hub in terms of computing power after the United States and Canada," Llamosas pointed out. "This not only brings energy demand: it brings international attention, quality employment, and puts Paraguay at the forefront of technology."

The Penguin Group data center has a capacity of 100MW with a direct connection to a substation equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

According to the expert, the growth of the digital energy ecosystem will require significant expansion. "We must increase current generation by 40%. That means investments of around $15 billion and, above all, a new regulatory framework," she warned.

In this context, Bitcoin mining appears to be a key driver of new investment in both public and private electricity infrastructure. "There was never any investment in private generation because there was no stable demand to justify it. Today, mining is generating that demand and attracting capital," he said.

The opportunity for a new economy

Llamosas assured that the boom in digital mining and the arrival of artificial intelligence open up unprecedented horizons for the country. "AI will not be a marginal issue, it will be the extension of the backbone of our economy. If we have large or small data centers, we will be closer to that economy and will not remain on the periphery," he said.

The transition, he explained, will be gradual but inevitable. "The global trend is clear: large miners are giving up part of their capacity for AI development, because a megawatt applied to artificial intelligence generates more return and sustainability than one applied to Bitcoin. That trend will soon reach Paraguay, and we must be prepared to take advantage of it," he said.

Finally, Llamosas called for joint action between the state, businesses, and civil society. "Regulators, industries, and families must think about how to join this new digital economy. It is a systemic, cross-cutting opportunity, and we can take advantage of it to be truly relevant in the value chain of the future," he concluded.