Home / Technology / AP Minister: State Authority, Not Centre, Decides on Google AI Hub
AP Minister: State Authority, Not Centre, Decides on Google AI Hub
25 Sep
Summary
- Andhra Pradesh IT Minister states Google data centre needs no Union approval.
- The state government assures minimal water impact and renewable energy use.
- The project involves a $15 billion investment across three campuses.
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh has asserted that the proposed Google AI data centre in Visakhapatnam does not need clearance from the Union government. He clarified that approvals for data centres fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, confirming Andhra Pradesh's authority to expedite the project.
Minister Lokesh also addressed environmental concerns, particularly water usage. He stated that the government is working to minimize any potential impact, with dedicated pipelines planned separate from the city's drinking water network. Furthermore, the facility is set to substantially run on renewable energy, meeting the state's mandate of sourcing at least 70% of power from clean sources.
The Google AI hub represents a significant $15 billion investment, spanning nearly 480 acres across three campuses in Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts. Developed with AdaniConneX and Airtel, the project is expected to support up to 6.5 gigawatts of compute capacity and will feature a subsea cable gateway. The foundation stone for this ambitious project was laid in April of this year.
