Synopsis
Maharashtra is set to enhance India’s digital landscape by establishing four new data centre parks in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, as announced by Industry Secretary P. Anbalagan during the CII Datacentre Summit. This initiative aims to boost the state's data centre capacity significantly by 2028.Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra to set up four new data centre parks.
- Data centre capacity will rise from 500 MW to 800 MW by 2028.
- Mumbai contributes 54.9% to the country's data centre capacity.
- New policies will enhance energy management and cost optimization.
- 5G and edge computing are transforming the industry.
Mumbai, March 20 (NationPress) Maharashtra Industry Secretary P. Anbalagan announced on Thursday that the state is poised to drive India's digital advancement with the establishment of four new data centre parks in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.
During his speech at the CII Datacentre Summit, Anbalagan remarked, "Maharashtra is the backbone of India's data economy, housing 60 percent of the nation's data centre enterprises, with Mumbai alone accounting for 54.9 percent of total capacity. With top-tier digital infrastructure, dependable power, and strategic connectivity, the state is geared to enhance India's digital landscape with four new data centre parks in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur."
He further stated that Maharashtra's data centre capacity is projected to escalate from 500 MW to 800 MW by 2028, reinforcing its position as India's digital infrastructure nucleus.
With India's current operational capacity at 2,337 MW, an additional 1.5 GW expansion will be vital for meeting future requirements, he noted.
"Effective energy management is essential for the industry. The new data centre policy enables power banking during non-peak (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and peak hours, allowing data centres with captive power to optimize expenses," he explained.
He called upon stakeholders to collaborate with the Energy Ministry to sustain the status quo for a minimum of five years.
Anbalagan also highlighted that the 2023 policy introduced a deemed license provision, simplifying operations for independent data centres and unit holders.
In his presentation, the CEO of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, P. Velrasu, indicated that the industry is adapting with 5G, Starlink, and decentralized data centres necessitating intelligent energy solutions, modular infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as modular energy.
"5G and edge computing are set to transform the industry, demanding innovative strategies to ensure sustainable growth and efficiency," he added.
The Chairman of the CII Western Region Taskforce on Datacentre, Manoj Paul, stated that Maharashtra continues to be the preferred destination for investors and service providers, holding a 40 percent market share.
Experts at the summit stressed the necessity for intelligent energy solutions and modular infrastructure to promote sustainable growth.
As infrastructure advances to meet rising demands, emerging technologies like modular nuclear energy and innovative land use policies must be investigated to facilitate long-term growth and cost efficiency.
