Google to invest $10 billion in Visakhapatnam for Asia’s largest data centre

The State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), chaired by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, held its 11th meeting on Wednesday and approved a proposal by Raiden Infotech India Limited, a subsidiary of Google, to establish a 1 gigawatt (Gw) hyperscale AI data centre in Visakhapatnam with a budget of $10 billion.

The SIPB approved other projects spanning multiple sectors, including renewable energy, industrial infrastructure, electronics manufacturing, and information technology. The total investment in these projects amounts to Rs 1,14,824 crore. These ventures are expected to create employment for more than 67,000 people across the State.

The chief minister expressed that these projects will position Andhra Pradesh as a growing global industry and emphasised that these projects were acquired during 15 months of governance.

He also stated that the data centre will transform Visakhapatnam into an AI smart city and that, with a reliable power supply and infrastructure, this will accelerate IT growth. 

The various project approvals have a combined investment amount of Rs 7 lakh crore. This would employ over 67,000 people across the State.

Three Major Industrial Zones:

Chandrababu Naidu proposed dividing the State into three major industrial zones: the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (East Godavari to Srikakulam), the Central Economic Growth Region (West Godavari to Prakasam, with Amaravati as the hub), and the Southern Economic Development Region (Nellore and Rayalaseema). This is to sustain the regional development projects that are underway.

Special officers will be appointed to oversee the progress of major projects, including the Raiden Data Centre, Bharat Petroleum Refinery at Ramayapatnam, and ArcelorMittal Steel Plant.

Chandrababu Naidu also ordered the integration of logistics networks, the creation of a statewide water supply and industrial infrastructure master plan, and expedited the completion of the Jindal Steel Plant project by 2028. He also directed the officials that the incoming projects should be completed without inconveniencing the public and warned that obstruction to development will not be dealt with lightly.

The chief minister highlighted that Orvakal in Kurnool will be developed into a major industrial hub with dedicated land space, and Rayalaseema will be developed into an Agro-Processing and Aerospace Hub. Amaravati will become a Knowledge Economy Capital through the Quantum Valley initiatives. 

He also expressed that the new projects, along with the Google data centre in Visakhapatnam, will strengthen the State’s digital and industrial ecosystem, boost skill development, increase exports, and create opportunities for the local youth.

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