ANDHRA PRADESH: Reliance Mega Leap: 400-Acre Data Hub Rises in Andhra
Visakhapatnam is positioning itself as a key player in India’s digital landscape. Recent announcements from global tech leaders signal a transformative shift, with massive investments aimed at building advanced infrastructure. This coastal city in Andhra Pradesh could soon rival major hubs worldwide, drawing interest from both domestic giants and international firms.
Key Investments Fueling Growth
Reliance Industries, through its joint venture Digital Connexion with Brookfield and Digital Realty, plans a 1-gigawatt hyperscale data center. Spanning 400 acres, the project carries an investment of Rs 98,000 crore and targets completion by 2030. It will serve as a modular facility tailored for AI workloads, complete with cutting-edge processors.
Google has committed to a 1-gigawatt AI hub here, backed by a Rs 1.33 lakh crore outlay. Partnering with AdaniConneX and Airtel, the initiative focuses on gigawatt-scale compute to support India’s rising digital needs. This marks Google’s first such dedicated AI center in the country.
Brookfield’s involvement extends beyond the Reliance JV, with separate talks for up to 3 gigawatts of capacity. Meanwhile, Sify Technologies broke ground on a 500 megawatt hyperscale center in partnership with Meta. Valued at around Rs 15,266 crore, it underscores the area’s appeal for cloud and AI services.
Path to 6,000 MW Milestone
Andhra Pradesh authorities aim to establish 6,000 megawatts of data center capacity in Visakhapatnam by 2030. An apex advisory council, including experts from Nasscom and Microsoft, guides this roadmap to bolster digital infrastructure.
Current pledges from Google, Reliance, and Brookfield already cover about half the target at 3 gigawatts. Three additional international players are in advanced discussions, with approvals expected within months. Land allocation and power setups remain priorities to accelerate progress.
Spotlight on Reliance’s Tech Edge
The Digital Connexion facility will mirror Reliance’s 1-gigawatt AI center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Equipped with GPU, TPU, and specialized AI chips, it promises seamless scalability for enterprises. Substations and feeders ensure reliable power, positioning it among Asia’s top AI networks.
A complementary 6-gigawatt-peak solar project will provide sustainable energy. Officials highlight its role in fostering innovation, from edge computing to large-scale analytics, over the coming decade.
Leadership’s Vision Takes Shape
At the CII Partnership Summit in mid-November, state leaders met with company representatives to seal deals. IT Minister Nara Lokesh shared the excitement on social media, calling Visakhapatnam India’s emerging data capital. His post emphasized the facility’s future-proof design and economic ripple effects.
These developments promise thousands of jobs and enhanced tech ecosystems. As permissions fast-track, the region braces for a boom that could redefine Southeast Asia’s digital map.