Stories
AI Data Centers Poised to Transform India Power Sector
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CNBC TV18•16-10-2026, 21:19
AI Data Centers Poised to Transform India Power Sector
- •India data center capacity is projected to surge from under 500 megawatts currently to 20 gigawatts by 2030 and 50 gigawatts by 2035, driving a massive increase in electricity demand.
- •Tata Power CEO Praveer Sinha and GE Vernova T and D CEO Sandeep Zanzaria emphasize that timely investments in transmission networks, distribution infrastructure, and advanced grid equipment are vital.
- •Renewable energy expansion, led by solar and wind, requires massive energy storage solutions including battery and pumped storage to balance intermittent supply and demand.
- •AI will not only add to power consumption but also help utilities improve demand forecasting, enable real-time grid management, and enhance network resilience.
- •Industry leaders highlight the need for a predictable policy environment, accelerated decision-making, and better inter-ministerial coordination to sustain sector investments.
Key Questions Answered
India's data center capacity is projected to rise from less than 500 megawatts currently to nearly 20 gigawatts by 2030 and 50 gigawatts by 2035 according to Tata Power CEO Praveer Sinha and GE Vernova T&D CEO Sandeep Zanzaria.
Solar capacity is expected to reach 290 gigawatts by 2030 and nearly 470 gigawatts by 2035, while battery storage capacity could increase from about three gigawatts to nearly 80 gigawatts over the next decade.
India will require high-voltage direct current corridors, static synchronous compensators, synchronous condensers, and digital systems to handle long-distance power transmission and voltage regulation as demand grows.
