India’s data centres may consume up to 2% of electricity in a decade, says NITI Aayog member
Data centres currently account for around 0.5% of India’s electricity consumption, but their share could rise to 1-2% over the next decade as digital infrastructure expands, NITI Aayog Member Abhay Karandikar said.
India's data centres could consume up to 2% of the nation's electricity by 2030, compared to the current 0.5%, according to NITI Aayog Member Abhay Karandikar. This projected increase stems from the expansion of digital infrastructure and rising demand for AI and other digital services. Despite concerns over potential strain on electricity and water resources, Karandikar stated that the government has a roadmap in place to meet the additional demand, which includes increasing energy supply through renewable sources and potentially nuclear power.
The Data Centre Set-Up Evaluation Framework Report, recently released, provides guidelines for assessing data centre proposals, including their electricity and water requirements. The framework could guide policymakers as they consider infrastructure requirements for expanding data centre capacity, with future growth potentially extending to cities like Lucknow, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Meanwhile, Karandikar also addressed preparations for 6G telecommunications, noting that India has four years to plan for spectrum requirements expected by 2030. The discussion around foreign satellite communication companies entering the Indian market highlighted the importance of balancing national interests with opportunities for cooperation.
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