Andhra Pradesh sets green energy and water norms for data centres, says Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh is tying the expansion of data centres to environmental safeguards, with IT Minister Nara Lokesh saying the government has adopted a comprehensive approach to keep the sector's growth sustainable.

Speaking at a fireside chat organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India in New Delhi on Thursday, Lokesh said data centres operating in the State must source at least 70% of their energy from renewable sources. The permitted mix includes solar, wind, pumped storage and battery storage.

On water use, the Minister said the Google data centre being developed near Visakhapatnam will be supplied through the Polavaram left bank canal. He noted that the Polavaram project helps put to use water that would otherwise drain into the Bay of Bengal.

The government is also encouraging data centre companies to set up desalination plants, and one such facility is already under construction, he said.

Lokesh said energy, water and other environmental requirements need to be addressed together for data centres to develop sustainably, and that the government remains focused on achieving that balance.