Andhra Pradesh locks in 6.5 GW data centre capacity, projects entering execution phase

Andhra Pradesh has completed the agreements needed to reach its target of 6.5 gigawatts of data centre compute capacity, with the projects now moving into execution, state Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 13th Annual Forum 2026: India 3.0 – Engaging for Growth in a Disrupted World, Lokesh said the state had met its capacity goal at the agreement stage. "Our mandate is to do a 6.5 gigawatts of data center compute capacity in Andhra Pradesh, and we have already achieved it," he said, adding that the projects are getting grounded.

The minister was responding to questions about the progress of Google's AI data centre project in the state and concerns raised by local communities over its possible impact on water resources. On the project's timeline, he said work is already under way and it will be completed on schedule.

Addressing environmental concerns, Lokesh said the state government is working to limit the impact of data centre projects, particularly on water availability and energy consumption. Water for the projects will be drawn from sustainable sources and will not be diverted from farming or city needs, he said, while 70% of the energy required will come from renewable sources.

He added that the government is engaging with local communities to explain the projects and address their concerns, describing the development as a potential catalyst for the wider economic growth of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and India.

Asked whether the data centre project needs central environmental clearance, Lokesh said it is a state subject and that the state has followed due process.

Separately, on the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, the minister said India needs to embrace emerging technologies and prepare its workforce for shifts in the job market. He said his role as education and human resource development minister places a responsibility on him to transform the curriculum in light of changes driven by AI and quantum computing, adding that equipping students for these technologies will be necessary to create new employment opportunities.