AirTrunk Proposes $11 Billion Data Center Expansion in India

AirTrunk, the prominent data center operator supported by Blackstone, has officially submitted detailed proposals for the development of two hyperscale data center campuses in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This ambitious project, estimated to cost approximately ₹1.03 lakh crore ($11 billion), represents a major milestone in the company's strategy to scale its footprint within the country's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The proposed facilities are slated for the Anakapalli district, with specific sites identified in Rambilli and Tootipala. According to company statements, these campuses are designed to provide a combined capacity of up to 1.8 gigawatts (GW), catering to the surging demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project is currently under review by state authorities, marking a significant step forward in Andhra Pradesh's goal to become a premier hub for global technology investments.

To address environmental concerns associated with such energy-intensive projects, AirTrunk has committed to utilizing low-water, air-cooled technology. Furthermore, the company plans to source water from industrial supplies rather than municipal networks, a move intended to mitigate the impact on local water resources. These measures align with broader state efforts, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, to strengthen energy and water infrastructure to support large-scale industrial growth.

This initiative is part of AirTrunk's wider commitment to invest $30 billion in India by 2030, aiming to build over 5 gigawatts of total capacity. The move follows a series of high-profile investments in the region, including a separate $15 billion AI hub project by Google. As India continues to position itself as a critical destination for global computing power, AirTrunk’s latest proposal underscores the growing importance of sustainable digital infrastructure in supporting the nation's long-term economic and technological ambitions.