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Google's $15 Billion Vizag AI Data Centre Needs No Centre Nod, Clarifies Nara Lokesh
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CNBC TV18•24-09-2026, 14:13
Google's $15 Billion Vizag AI Data Centre Needs No Centre Nod, Clarifies Nara Lokesh
- •Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh clarified that the proposed Google AI data centre in Visakhapatnam does not require Union government clearance, as data centre approvals fall under state jurisdiction.
- •Lokesh addressed concerns about water consumption, stating the state government is working to minimize impact with dedicated pipelines and additional water supplies separate from the city's drinking water network.
- •The Google data centre will run substantially on renewable energy, aligning with the state's mandate for data centres to source at least 70% of power from clean sources.
- •The $15 billion Google AI hub comprises three linked campuses across Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts, spanning nearly 480 acres.
- •Developed with AdaniConneX and Airtel, the project is expected to support up to 6.5 gigawatts of compute capacity and include a subsea cable gateway, positioning Visakhapatnam as a global connectivity hub.
Key Questions Answered
No, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh has clarified that data centre clearances fall under state government jurisdiction and do not require intervention or nod from the Union government.
The Google data centre is required to source at least 70% of its power from clean and renewable sources such as solar, wind, and pumped-storage generation.
The project is being developed in collaboration with AdaniConneX and Airtel, with a foundation stone laid by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in April.
