In July 2025, Google unveiled plans for a staggering $6 billion (roughly ₹52,000 crore) investment to construct a 1‑gigawatt hyperscale data Centre campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This project marks the tech giant’s first major data Centre venture in India—and would stand as the largest data infrastructure investment in Asia to date.
Of the total investment, $2 billion is dedicated to renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring the facility operates on sustainable power—a rare and strategic move in an energy-intensive industry.
Catalyzing Andhra Pradesh’s Digital Ambitions
The project is not an isolated initiative. The Andhra Pradesh government aims to develop 6 GW of data Centre capacity over the next five years. Already, 1.6 GW in commitments are signed, expected to come online within 24 months—surpassing India’s current national capacity of 1.4 GW.
Complementing the data infrastructure, authorities plan to establish three undersea cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam. This would make the city a critical digital gateway, potentially rivaling Mumbai in global connectivity.
Effects of Economic Ripples and Job Creation
There are several advantages to such a massive endeavor:
Job Creation: You can anticipate opportunities in operations, maintenance, support, infrastructure, and technology. The Future Skills Credit Scheme is one of the government-led initiatives aimed at closing the skills gap.
Economic Boost: Significant capital inflow, allied industries development, and improved logistics will stimulate growth in Visakhapatnam and across Andhra Pradesh.
Policy Backing: The state’s IT & GCC (Global Capability Centers) Policy 4.0 (2024–2029) offers capital subsidies, rental supports, electric incentives, and single-window clearances to fast-track mega investments.
India’s data Centre landscape is booming. With capacity projected to nearly double from 950 MW in 2023 to about 2 GW by 2026, global hyperscale’s are fueling the expansion. Google’s investment stands as a symbol of that momentum
Challenges on the Horizon
While promising, a few critical considerations remain:
Energy Demands: Even with a green power component, data centers require uninterrupted, high-volume power. Hybrid energy strategies—green supplemented with conventional grid power—are planned for backup.
- Environmental Concerns: Some local voices warn of potential air quality issues from new thermal power sources.
Job Volume vs. Upskilling: While direct jobs may be moderate, supporting roles—security, facility maintenance, and connectivity services—could drive significant indirect employment.
A fresh period of change for Andhra Pradesh is brought in by Google’s ₹52,000 crore data Centre investment. This project, which is located in Visakhapatnam, is expected to make the city—and therefore the region—a major Centre for digital infrastructure in both Asia and India. It creates opportunities for skilled job growth, enabling policy ecosystems, and economic diversification in addition to connectivity and green energy innovation.
As construction gets underway, everyone will be watching to see how well the promises are fulfilled in terms of jobs, sustainability, and long-term digital leadership.