The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the formation of a Data Centre Advisory Council to achieve 6,000 MW of data centre capacity by 2030, marking a major step in expanding the state’s digital infrastructure. The initiative aligns with Data Centre Policy 4.0, which focuses on fostering large-scale, sustainable, and globally competitive data ecosystems.
Leadership and Industry Participation
The council will be chaired by Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (ITE&C), Andhra Pradesh. Its members include leading technology and infrastructure companies such as Microsoft Azure, NTT Global Data Centres, ST Telemedia GDC, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL, Pi Data Centres, Schneider Electric, Nasscom, and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI).
Mandate and Policy Framework
The council will advise the government on implementing a time-bound roadmap to accelerate the data centre ecosystem. Key priorities include:
- Integration of renewable power with data infrastructure
- Expansion of fibre connectivity across industrial zones
- Creation of data centre parks and plug-and-play campuses
- Establishing a continuous policy feedback mechanism under Data Centre Policy 4.0
These measures aim to improve project execution speed, enhance investor confidence, and attract global players to Andhra Pradesh’s growing data economy.
Major Investments and Strategic Vision
Recent large-scale investments underscore the state’s rising prominence — including Google’s 1 GW and Sify Infinity’s 550 MW data centre projects in Visakhapatnam. With these developments, Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a South Asian hub for AI-driven and cloud-based industries, leveraging its strong energy, port, and digital infrastructure advantages.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- Target: 6,000 MW data centre capacity by 2030
- Chairperson: Nara Lokesh, Minister for ITE&C
- Key Investors: Google (1 GW) and Sify Infinity (550 MW)
- Council Members: Microsoft, NTT GDC, ST Telemedia GDC, Schneider Electric, JLL, Nasscom, DSCI
Strategic Outlook
Calling data centres the “new refineries of the AI era,” Nara Lokesh emphasised their importance in powering India’s digital transformation. By combining renewable energy, skilled talent, and proactive governance, Andhra Pradesh aims to emerge as India’s leading data infrastructure hub, fuelling both economic growth and digital innovation.
