Nxtra Data Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, has announced a partnership with Bloom Energy to install low-impact fuel cells at its Karnataka data centre, reducing carbon emissions through a cleaner, hydrogen-ready fuel supply. Nxtra by Airtel runs a data centre network in India, with 12 large and 120 edge data centres spread across the country, and plans to invest more than Rs 50 billion over the next four years to triple its capacity to more than 400 MW. In order to lower carbon emissions at its data centre and to realise cost and sustainability advantages, Nxtra will be the first data centre firm in India to use fuel cell technology. Without making a big investment, Nxtra intends to start the unit with non-combusted natural gas and then switch to 50% hydrogen in the future. The utility electrical grid and generators will be employed as backup sources in addition to the natural gas-powered cells for primary generating. Rajesh Tapadia, chief operating officer, Nxtra by Airtel said, “With an ambition to reach net zero by 2031, we have embarked on our sustainability journey by making all possible efforts to adopt innovative energy solutions.” “Bloom Energy’s technology is distinctly capable of helping India meet its decarbonization objectives as it transitions to a hydrogen economy,” said Tim Schweikert, senior managing director, international business development, Bloom Energy. The company is dedicated to obtaining 50% of its power needs from renewable energy sources within the next 12 months and has already invested in and worked with 8 organisations to establish renewable energy power plants across India to source more than 180,000 MWh of renewable energy. See also: Adani, Reliance among others to invest in renewable powerBharti Airtel plans Rs 5,000 cr investment in data centre business