By Devi Shankar, Executive Director – Industrial, Logistics & Data Centres, ANAROCK Capital
India’s data centre market is on track for unprecedented expansion, with total capacity projected to reach 2 GW by 2026, according to industry estimates. Currently, 525 MW of data centre capacity is under construction across key cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Fueled by advances in cloud computing, 5G rollouts, and the digitalisation of sectors such as BFSI, the market is expected to hit $11.6 billion by 2032.
Institutional investors have increasingly recognized data centres as a lucrative asset class, deploying significant capital into the sector. Key trends shaping the industry for 2025 and beyond are as follows:
1. Large-Scale Data Centre Campuses
Operators are ramping up investments in mega-projects exceeding 100 MW, particularly in Navi Mumbai and Chennai. Hyderabad is also emerging as a hotspot for hyperscale developments, with major projects spanning over 100 acres in progress to meet the surging demand from AI-led applications and cloud computing.
2. Emergence of New Availability Zones and Micro-Markets
The rising cost and scarcity of land in traditional data centre hubs are pushing operators to explore alternative locations near Mumbai and Chennai. These new micro-markets aim to sustain growth while balancing costs.
3. AI-Driven Demand and Infrastructure Evolution
India’s AI market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 20% between 2023 and 2028, according to NASSCOM. This surge in AI workloads is driving increased power consumption and higher rack densities, with average densities expected to rise from 8-10 KW per rack to 30 KW per rack by 2025.
4. Sustainable Cooling Technologies
To address growing power demands, operators are adopting advanced cooling methods like liquid immersion cooling. This technology promises better energy efficiency and cost savings, particularly in hyperscale and AI-specific facilities.
5. Collaborations Between Chipmakers and Infrastructure Providers
Partnerships between companies like NVIDIA and Yotta, as well as Tata Group and Reliance Jio Infocomm, are paving the way for sustainable, energy-efficient data centres. These collaborations align with the government’s “India AI” mission and are expected to yield substantial benefits for the ecosystem.
6. Development of Edge Data Centres
Smaller, localized data centres closer to end-users are gaining traction, particularly in tier II and tier III cities such as Patna, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Bhubaneshwar. These facilities aim to reduce latency and handle the growing data traffic from IoT devices, OTT platforms, and Smart Cities.
7. Migration to Cloud-Based Infrastructure
An increasing number of companies are shifting from on-premise IT systems to hybrid cloud environments. This transition offers cost savings, scalability, and enhanced security, further driving demand for data centre facilities.
8. Focus on Green Data Centres
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are reshaping the industry. Operators are increasingly integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar into their operations. Some are aiming for 100% green facilities, with investments in renewable energy projects and nuclear energy also under exploration.
9. Enhanced Security Protocols
Advanced security measures such as AI-powered tools, Zero Trust Architecture, and multi-factor authentication are being implemented to counter evolving cyber threats and ensure robust data protection.
10. Skill Development Initiatives
Efforts to upskill the workforce in hardware, software, and IT infrastructure management are underway. Both government and private players are focusing on training programs to align with the sector’s rapid growth.
With strong support from institutional capital, technological advancements, and regulatory frameworks, India’s data centre industry is poised to solidify its position as a critical pillar of the nation’s digital ecosystem by 2025.
Also Read: Amazon India Data services
