Google defends Vizag AI Hub amid environment concerns
Information technology giant Google has sought to allay concerns over the environmental impact of its proposed 1 GW Google AI Hub in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam, particularly its water and electricity consumption
Google has defended its planned 1 GW AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, against environmental concerns. The hub, part of Google’s "Bharat AI Shakti" initiative, will have an initial investment commitment of US$15 billion from 2026 to 2030. Principal Alexander Smith of Google’s Global Infrastructure and Energy, Asia Pacific explained that the data centre campuses will employ advanced air-cooling technology instead of water-based systems, significantly reducing water usage.
This water footprint will be comparable to that of a standard office building. Google plans to replenish 120% of water consumed for non-cooling purposes by 2030 and implement integrated watershed-management measures, including rainwater catchment systems, groundwater recharge infrastructure, and water ATMs. Concerning power requirements, Google will pay for and fund new power infrastructure directly needed for its operations, including transmission lines and substations.
The AI Hub will be part of a broader AI infrastructure ecosystem, including a subsea connectivity gateway, data centre campuses, an AI Industrial Corridor, logistics infrastructure, and power facilities. Google anticipates generating approximately US$688 million in local economic activity annually. However, environmentalists have raised concerns over the hub's potential environmental impact, citing its high electricity and water consumption, heat island effects, noise pollution, and inadequate environmental scrutiny due to weak local data sovereignty laws and regulations.
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