India's ambition to become a global data centre hub is colliding with pressing environmental concerns. In the Telugu states, particularly Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh, the live data centre capacity is projected to soar from 60.9 MW in 2022 to 151.4 MW by the end of 2025. This explosive growth, however, is raising alarms over water consumption and energy demands that could strain local ecosystems and communities. Activists and scientists are questioning the classification of these facilities as mere construction projects, arguing that they should undergo rigorous environmental assessments due to their industrial-scale implications.
The stakes are high. For instance, Andhra Pradesh's planned Google campuses alone are expected to consume between 465 MW and 929 MW of power each, alongside significant water resources. Critics argue that such projects, cleared without adequate public consultation, risk exacerbating local vulnerabilities, particularly in a country already grappling with climate change.
Moreover, the experience in the United States serves as a cautionary tale. Community pushback has stalled billions in data centre investments, highlighting the need for India to avoid similar pitfalls. The question remains whether the Telugu states can balance the allure of economic growth with the necessity of sustainable practices. Policymakers must act decisively to ensure that the infrastructure supporting India's digital future does not come at an unacceptable cost to its environment and local populations.
