Google to invest $6 Bn in its first India data centre in Visakhapatnam (Agencies)

According to recent reports, Google is set to invest a significant $6 billion in its first data center in India, located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This is a substantial development for India’s digital infrastructure.Here are some key details:Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra PradeshInvestment: $6 billion, with $2 billion specifically allocated for renewable energy capacity to power the facility.Capacity: The data center is planned to have a 1-gigawatt (GW) capacity. This would make it the largest data center in Asia by both capacity and investment size.Context: This investment is part of Google’s broader multi-billion-dollar expansion of its data center portfolio across the region, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.Economic Impact:Data center investments like this are expected to have a significant economic impact, including job creation (both during construction and for operations), increased tax revenue, and further infrastructure development in the region. Andhra Pradesh’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, has highlighted the state’s ambition to become a global IT and AI hub, with plans to establish three new cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam.Renewable Energy Focus:The substantial investment in renewable energy for this data center aligns with Google’s commitment to sourcing 24/7 carbon-free energy across all grids by 2030.While there is no official confirmation from Google and the Andhra Pradesh government yet, the announcement is anticipated in October. This move by Google underscores the growing importance of India as a digital market and a strategic location for global tech infrastructure.

This investment not only signifies technological advancement but also represents a tangible step towards addressing the vital issue of joblessness.