Google data centre in Visakhapatnam will use air-cooling technology: MP
Sribharat dismisses concerns over water consumption, heat and limited jobs; says data centre will spur a wider economic ecosystem in the region
Visakhapatnam's MP, M. Sribharat, stated on Saturday that the upcoming Google data centre would employ air-cooling technology, dismissing water concerns. Despite growing worries about the facility's high water consumption, Sribharat assured that the center would utilize air-cooling technology. He dismissed the criticism from civil society, stating that even if all future data centers adopted water-cooling, there would be no impact on Visakhapatnam's water supply.
The MP highlighted that 3,000 TMC ft of water flowed into the sea from Polavaram, with 23.44 TMC ft being redirected to north Andhra. Water demand would only increase after 6-7 years, when industries such as green hydrogen plants and new steel plants started operations. Sribharat assured that the data centre would receive environmental clearance only if it posed no significant environmental impact, emphasizing that all legal requirements were met.
He also addressed concerns about a heat island forming around the data centre, stating that heat is generated within the campus and that even air conditioners emit heat outside. The MP emphasized that the investment would foster a long-term economic ecosystem, attracting start-ups, fintech institutions, and Global Capability Centres, ultimately benefiting the state's manufacturing sector.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
