45 data centres totalling 13 million sq ft to be built by 2025

By the end of 2025, India is expected to have 45 data centres (DCs) totaling 13 million sq ft and 1,015 MW of IT capacity, according to the ANAROCK-Binswanger report Under the Lens: India's Data Centre Explosion. This growth is being driven by rising digital demand. Over 69% of this new supply of IT capacity (1,015 MW) will be built in Mumbai and Chennai, with 51% in Mumbai alone. Currently, India has 138 DCs totaling 11 million sq ft and 737 MW of IT capacity (building ready). Mumbai and Chennai together account for at least 57% of the existing IT capacity. By the end of 2025, India will have 183 DCs on 24 million sq ft, with at least 1,752 MW of total IT capacity, thanks to the addition of this new supply. In the meantime, India has the potential for an additional 2,688 MW of future unexpected supply. DC operators have secured the land for this project, however it is likely that the projects will be designed based on actual demand and/or the results of previous scheduled phases. Although this is land banking to give customers the flexibility to scale up in the future, the capacity must be carefully released to the market to maintain price stability. The majority of this unplanned IT capacity—about 78%—will be based in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Also read: CapitaLand to raise $2 billion to $3 billion India-focused office fund Existing FDI policies and what is attracting investors’ attention