Google’s $15 billion AI data centre in India faces local resistance
Power, water, jobs: Google on India data centre concerns
Construction of a $15 billion AI data centre operated by Google in Visakhapatnam, India, has sparked local opposition due to concerns over environmental impact and changes to residents' lives. Google's head of infrastructure and energy for the Asia-Pacific region, Alexander Smith, addressed the public's concerns during an interview with AFP.
Smith emphasized that Google takes such concerns seriously and conducts independent environmental assessments to ensure that building the data centre will benefit the community. The facility, which is set to become operational in 2028, will use air cooling systems instead of water, as the region already faces water shortages. Google has also committed to replenishing 120 percent of the freshwater consumed by non-cooling facility needs by 2030.
The company argues that the data centre will generate approximately $688 million in local economic activity annually and create nine additional jobs for every one job inside the facility.
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