iMasons CEO Santiago Suinaga on the Future of Sustainable AI Data Centers

For this episode of the DCF Show podcast, host Matt Vincent, Editor in Chief of Data Center Frontier, is joined by Santiago Suinaga, CEO of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), to explore the urgent challenges of scaling data center construction while maintaining sustainability commitments, among other pertinent industry topics.

The AI Race and Responsible Construction

"Balancing scale and sustainability is key because the AI race is real," Suinaga emphasizes. "Forecasted capacities have skyrocketed to meet AI demand. Hyperscale end users and data center developers are deploying high volumes to secure capacity in an increasingly constrained global market."

This surge in demand pressures the industry to build faster than ever before. Yet, as Suinaga notes, speed and sustainability must go hand in hand. "The industry must embrace a build fast, build smart mentality. Leveraging digital twin technology, AI-driven design optimization, and circular economy principles is critical."

Sustainability, he argues, should be embedded at every stage of new builds, from integrating low-carbon materials to optimizing energy efficiency from the outset. "We can't afford to compromise sustainability for speed. Instead, we must integrate renewable energy sources and partner with local governments, utilities, and energy providers to accelerate responsible construction."

A key example of this thinking is peak shaving—using redundant infrastructure and idle capacities to power the grid when data center demand is low. "99.99% of the time, this excess capacity can support local communities, while ensuring the data center retains prioritized energy supply when needed."

Addressing Embodied Carbon and Supply Chain Accountability

Decarbonization is a cornerstone of iMasons' efforts, particularly through the iMasons Climate Accord. Suinaga highlights the importance of tackling embodied carbon—the emissions embedded in data center construction materials and IT hardware. "We need standardized reporting metrics and supplier accountability to drive meaningful change," he says. "Greater transparency across the supply chain can be achieved through carbon labeling of materials and stricter procurement policies."

To mitigate embodied emissions, companies should prioritize suppliers with validated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and invest in low-carbon alternatives like green concrete and recycled steel. "Collaboration across the industry will be essential to drive policy incentives for greener supply chains," Suinaga asserts.

The Role of Modular and Prefabricated Builds

As the industry seeks more efficient construction methods, modular and prefabricated builds are emerging as game changers. "They significantly reduce construction waste, improve quality control, and shorten deployment times," Suinaga explains. "By shifting a large portion of the build process to controlled environments, we can improve worker safety and optimize material usage. Companies leveraging prefabrication will gain a competitive edge in both cost savings and sustainability."

Modular construction also presents financial advantages. "It allows for deferred CapEx investments, creating attractive internal rates of return (IRRs) for investors while reducing the risk of oversupply by aligning capacity with demand," Suinaga notes. However, he acknowledges that the approach has challenges, including potential supply chain constraints and quick time-to-market pressures during demand spikes. "Maintaining a recurrent production cycle and closely monitoring market conditions are key to ensuring capacity planning aligns with real-time needs."

Innovation in Cooling and Water Use

With AI workloads driving increasing power densities, the industry is rapidly s