AdaniConneX’s proposed data centre campuses in Visakhapatnam, being developed in partnership with Google, will use air-cooling technology to minimise freshwater consumption, with the combined requirement across three sites expected to remain below the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, according to project details.
The proposed campuses at Mudasarlova and Tarluvada form part of a planned data centre development with a capacity of around 1 gigawatt (GW). The project is expected to strengthen Visakhapatnam’s position as a major hub for artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and digital infrastructure.
Unlike conventional data centres that rely on evaporative cooling systems and cooling towers, the proposed facilities will use air-based cooling technology, eliminating the need for water-based evaporative cooling, sources familiar with the project said.
Of the limited freshwater required across the three sites, approximately 80 per cent will be used for landscaping, kitchens and worker facilities. Water will be recycled and reused within the campuses, according to sources.
The facilities will also have dedicated industrial water connections instead of drawing supplies from municipal water lines. The arrangement is intended to prevent competition with households for drinking water.
In addition, the campuses will follow a zero-discharge policy for domestic wastewater. Wastewater will be treated at an on-site sewage treatment plant and reused for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing.
No treated wastewater will be discharged into the Mudasarlova Reservoir, sources said. These measures are aimed at reducing the project’s impact on local water resources, particularly the Mudasarlova Reservoir and the adjoining Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.
Water Consumption Debate Surrounds Vizag Data Centre Investments
Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to attract large-scale data centre investments have brought the issue of water consumption into sharper focus. Data centres require substantial cooling infrastructure to support energy-intensive computing operations, including AI workloads.
Conventional evaporative cooling systems can consume significant quantities of freshwater, raising concerns about their potential impact on local water supplies, particularly in water-stressed areas and near ecologically sensitive locations.
The debate intensified after the state approved Google’s proposed AI data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, being developed in partnership with AdaniConneX. Environmental activists have questioned the project’s proximity to the Mudasarlova Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to the city, and the neighbouring Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.
Critics have also raised questions about the adequacy of environmental assessments and the disclosure of the project’s operational water requirements.
The state government has defended the proposed development, with Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh dismissing concerns about its resource requirements as misinformation.
The government has stated that the proposed data centre ecosystem, if expanded to 6.5 GW, could require approximately 3 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water annually. Google has said it plans to use advanced air-cooling technology for the development.
Vizag Emerges As A Data Centre And Digital Infrastructure Hub
Visakhapatnam is attracting investments in data centres and supporting digital infrastructure as technology companies expand capacity to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and AI services.
Reliance Industries is developing a data centre campus near Bhogapuram and Polipalli. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel is investing in terrestrial and metropolitan fibre networks, along with undersea cable landing infrastructure at Rambilli.
The combination of data centre capacity, fibre connectivity and undersea cable infrastructure is expected to support the region’s growing digital ecosystem.
Data centres house computing equipment used to store, process and transmit digital information. As demand for AI and cloud services rises, the facilities are becoming increasingly important to the digital economy, while their energy and water requirements remain key considerations for governments and local communities.
About AdaniConneX
AdaniConneX is a joint venture between Adani Enterprises and US-based EdgeConneX. The company is developing a nationwide network of hyperscale data centres to serve India’s growing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services.
The venture combines Adani’s experience in energy and infrastructure with EdgeConneX’s expertise in global data centre development and operations.
The proposed Visakhapatnam campuses are expected to contribute to the expansion of India’s digital infrastructure while placing greater emphasis on water-efficient cooling systems, wastewater recycling and dedicated industrial water supplies.