Google gets power licence for Vizag data centre hub
Tech major Google has secured a power distribution licence for its proposed 1 GW data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, marking a key step in advancing one of India’s largest digital infrastructure investments.
The approval, granted by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, comes ahead of the project’s scheduled groundbreaking on April 28 and signals policy support as the initiative moves from planning to execution.
“The clearance is a critical enabler for operationalising the project on the ground,” a senior official familiar with the development said, adding that it reflects the State’s commitment to facilitating large-scale digital infrastructure investments.
The project, estimated at around $15 billion, is among the largest foreign direct investment commitments in India’s technology and data infrastructure sector. Sources indicated that the decision aligns with the State government’s broader strategy to attract hyperscale data centre investments by offering customised regulatory support.
“At a time when global demand for cloud and computing capacity is rising sharply, such policy measures are intended to fast-track investments and enhance competitiveness,” an official said.
According to sources, the development positions Google among the first private entities in India to receive a dedicated power distribution licence for a project of this scale, highlighting the coordination between the company and State authorities.
Industry observers say the data centre hub could significantly strengthen Visakhapatnam’s emergence as a digital infrastructure destination. “This project has the potential to anchor a wider ecosystem, draw in ancillary investments, and reinforce the city’s position in the global cloud network,” a sector expert said.
While detailed operational timelines and capacity rollout plans have not been disclosed, the project is being viewed as a milestone in India’s data centre expansion. Officials noted that States such as Andhra Pradesh are increasingly competing to attract global technology investments through a combination of infrastructure readiness and policy innovation.