Google Defends AI Hub Amid Environmental Concerns in Andhra Pradesh

Google is defending its proposed 1 GW Google AI Hub in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, India, amid concerns over environmental impact. The AI Hub is part of Google's broader 'Bharat AI Shakti' vision and represents an initial investment commitment of US$15 billion over five years from 2026 to 2030.

Google Principal Alexander Smith said the data centre campuses planned as part of the AI Hub would use advanced air-cooling technology instead of water-based systems. He claimed that the facility's water requirement would be comparable to that of any standard office building and that Google would conduct extensive research before selecting a data-centre site.

Smith also stated that Google is committed to replenishing 120% of water consumed for non-cooling requirements across its operations by 2030. The company plans to invest in additional clean-energy projects, including pumped-hydro, solar and wind projects, beyond the power generation directly required for the AI Hub.

However, environmentalists have raised concerns over the potential environmental impact, pointing to resistance to data centres worldwide. Former Union energy secretary E A S Sarma alleged that a 1 GW data centre consumes more than 20 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 million litres of water daily.