In a bold step toward shaping the future of technology in South America and the Caribbean, the Government of Guyana and Cerebras Systems – an American artificial intelligence (AI) company – signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build and operate a state-of-the-art AI data center powered by the country’s natural gas resources.
In an announcement on Wednesday evening, the government said the 100-megawatt (MW) facility at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara will draw behind-the-meter power from the project’s natural gas pipeline, marking the country’s first large-scale integration of energy and digital infrastructure.
Cerebras will deploy its CS-3 AI supercomputers and related infrastructure to meet international demand while positioning Guyana as a global destination for startups, researchers, and enterprises. The investment is expected to catalyse job creation, education, and research opportunities while driving Guyana’s ambition to become an AI-first nation.
“This partnership is more than an AI data center; it’s a declaration of Guyana’s ambition,” President Irfaan Ali said in the announcement. “Guyana is building a future where Guyanese talent powers global innovation, where its infrastructure supports frontier technologies, and where the nation leads the region in digital transformation.”
The MOU commits both parties to strong data sovereignty and protection measures, with new legislation planned to secure national interests in the digital age. Cerebras will also invest in training and upskilling local talent through research initiatives, partnerships with international universities, and internship programmes.
Andrew Feldman, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Cerebras, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Government of Guyana to build this 100MW data center. This collaboration is a key cornerstone in our Cerebras for Nations initiative. Guyana is leading the way in this global program in which we help world governments build, accelerate, and scale their sovereign AI initiatives.”
The Wales Data Center is expected to anchor a broader vision for digital prosperity, including education hubs, startup incubators, and research facilities. Discussions with other international players in AI, cloud computing, and infrastructure are also underway.
“EY is thrilled to facilitate this transformative collaboration with Cerebras and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. As a proud member of the Guyanese diaspora, I am excited to see how this ground-breaking collaboration will transform lives and inspire the next generation,” EY Global Partner and Energy-to-Intelligence Leader, Jay Persaud said.
Significant non-associated gas finds have been made in the southeastern portion of the Stabroek Block. ExxonMobil is now assessing data from the appraisal work it recently completed to lay out a comprehensive gas-use plan. All this is being done with several new developments in tow. Anchoring the vast gas resources are the Longtail and Haimara discoveries. Longtail has already been identified as the 8th development after Hammerhead.
Exxon has also completed the pipeline for Guyana’s Gas-to-Energy project. Gas is expected to flow from the Liza field through it to shore at a new rate of 120 million cubic feet per day (cf/d). The gas would be received by an integrated gas processing facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara, including a 300-megawatt (MW) power plant and a natural gas liquids (NGL) separation plant.
