Mumbai Ranks Among Asia-Pacific’s Leading Data Centre Leasing Markets: Report

Key Takeaways

Mumbai is a leading data centre leasing market in APAC.
Chennai is emerging as another key destination.
90 MW data centre in Navi Mumbai supports AWS.
India's data centre sector is driven by digitalisation.
Global demand for digital infrastructure is surging.

Mumbai, April 10 (NationPress) Mumbai has positioned itself as one of the most competitive leasing markets for data centres in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, according to a report released on Thursday.

The report from Knight Frank also pointed out Chennai as another rising data centre hub in India. The city is gaining recognition due to its strategic coastal position, which provides strong connectivity and disaster resilience, appealing to hyperscalers and enterprise-level operators seeking diversified infrastructure.

Navi Mumbai has developed a 90 MW data centre specifically designed to cater to the needs of hyperscalers like AWS.

Shishir Baijal, the Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Frank India, noted that the data centre sector in the country is witnessing remarkable growth, fueled by swift digitalisation, supportive policies, and an increasing demand for cloud services.

“Cities such as Mumbai and Chennai are becoming pivotal in the global data centre landscape, providing scalable infrastructure, power access, and robust connectivity. As the demand from hyperscalers and large enterprises escalates, India is well-positioned to emerge as a regional hub for digital infrastructure investments,” he stated.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to expand by 4,174 MW (32 percent), accompanied by £45.9 billion in investments.

In addition to established centres like Tokyo and emerging sites such as Johor, Malaysia, Mumbai and Chennai are experiencing heightened interest, offering cost benefits, regulatory backing, and expanding colocation ecosystems.

Globally, the data centre sector is anticipated to grow by 46 percent by 2027, adding 20,828 megawatts (MW) in capacity. This growth could soar to 177 percent by 2030, supported by a projected £229 billion in capital expenditure.

This growth is propelled by the increasing need for digital infrastructure to facilitate AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digital transformation.

North America continues to dominate the global market, with 11,638 MW of new capacity reflecting a 54 percent growth rate and an impressive £128 billion being invested to sustain this anticipated growth.

The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region is projected to grow by 4,529 MW (44 percent), necessitating a £49.8 billion investment. European markets are shifting towards secondary hubs like Milan and Madrid, primarily due to power limitations in core areas like Frankfurt and London, according to the report.