Andhra Pradesh defends Visakhapatnam data centre plans amid environmental concerns

Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday defended the state government's plan to establish data centres in Visakhapatnam, dismissing concerns raised about their environmental impact and water consumption. Addressing the state assembly, Lokesh said "deliberate misinformation" was being circulated regarding the facilities' resource requirements.

The minister highlighted Google's decision to invest in Visakhapatnam as a significant catalyst for broader industry interest in the coastal city. He emphasized that data centres are essential infrastructure for India's artificial intelligence-driven digital economy and national data sovereignty, particularly given current geopolitical challenges.

According to Lokesh, once the proposed data-centre ecosystem reaches its targeted capacity of 6.5 gigawatts, it is estimated to require approximately 3 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water annually based on current technology standards. He acknowledged, however, that emerging cooling technologies are expected to substantially reduce water consumption from these facilities.

The government's push for data centre development in Visakhapatnam comes as India seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign data storage facilities. The initiative reflects broader efforts across Indian states to attract technology investments and position themselves as hubs for the digital economy.