Meta’s Big Bet in India! To Build First AI-Enabled Data Center with Reliance
India is rapidly emerging as a major market for Artificial Intelligence (AI), and global tech giants are actively strengthening their infrastructure here. Following Google’s $15 billion AI hub project, Meta has announced plans to build its first AI-enabled data center in India. The company has partnered with Reliance Industries for this initiative. Located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, this data center will support Meta’s AI systems and is viewed as part of the company’s expanding investment in India.
According to Meta, the Jamnagar data center will have an initial capacity of 168 megawatts, which can be scaled up in the future based on demand. Reliance will construct the facility, while Meta will utilize it to support the AI systems powering platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the project would not only strengthen Meta’s global AI infrastructure but also boost its long-term investment in the Indian economy.
Operating AI technology requires immense computing power. Features like AI chatbots, image generation, and recommendation systems rely on servers housed in massive data centers. With the growing adoption of AI, companies worldwide are prioritizing the construction of new data centers. Meta says the Jamnagar facility will help provide better services to its expanding user base in India.
However, concerns regarding electricity and water consumption often arise concerning AI data centers. In several countries, including the US, such projects have faced opposition from local communities. Meta states that it will focus on sustainable energy to address this challenge in India. The company plans to power the data center entirely with renewable energy and use desalinated seawater for cooling purposes.
The company has secured over 900 megawatts of clean energy capacity for this project. Of this, 837 MW of energy will come from solar and wind energy projects being developed by CleanMax in Rajasthan and Karnataka. Meanwhile, 88 MW will be sourced from Fourth Partner Energy projects currently under development in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Meta has also stated that it will bear the entire cost of the energy and water infrastructure required for the data center.
In addition to the Jamnagar data center, Meta has also highlighted ‘Project Waterworth,’ which the company describes as the world’s longest subsea cable system. Its objective is to enhance internet speed and reliability in the regions connected to the network.
