The move enables direct electricity procurement for 1GW hyperscale hub; project marks India’s largest FDI in data centre sector, advancing energy control and infrastructure integration.
Google has obtained a power distribution (discom) licence from the Andhra Pradesh government for its upcoming 1GW data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant regulatory milestone for hyperscale infrastructure in India. The approval, granted just weeks ahead of the project’s planned groundbreaking on April 28, positions Google as the first private entity in the state to receive such a licence.
The $15 billion investment, India’s largest single foreign direct investment in the data centre space, will be developed through multiple campuses across the Visakhapatnam region. The Andhra Pradesh cabinet cleared the discom licence earlier this week, allowing Google to directly procure and manage electricity for its operations.
Direct power control for hyperscale operations
The licence will enable Google to transition from a large-scale power consumer to an operator with direct oversight of its energy sourcing and distribution. For data centre operators, where electricity forms a major share of operating costs, this shift is expected to improve efficiency, cost management, and supply reliability.
Officials indicated that the arrangement will help Google reduce exposure to grid disruptions while enabling better integration of renewable energy sources. The ability to control power procurement is also expected to support sustainability targets and ensure uninterrupted, high-availability computing infrastructure required for AI and cloud workloads.
Industry observers note that hyperscale companies globally are increasingly seeking control over critical infrastructure elements such as energy and cooling systems to enhance operational resilience and improve margins. The Andhra Pradesh decision is seen as part of a broader policy evolution to support large-scale digital infrastructure investments in India.
Major infrastructure push in Visakhapatnam region
The project will comprise three data centre campuses located in Adavivaram village in Visakhapatnam district, Tarluvada village in Visakhapatnam district, and Rambilli in Anakapalli district. It is being developed by Raiden Infotech India Private Limited, a Google subsidiary, in collaboration with Adani Infra Limited.
Land parcels for the project have been assigned to three special purpose vehicles fully owned by Adani Infra Limited, enabling structured development of the infrastructure clusters.
Officials suggest that the regulatory flexibility offered through the discom licence could serve as a model for future investments in India’s rapidly expanding data centre sector. Rising demand driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services is expected to accelerate similar large-scale infrastructure projects in the coming years.
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