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India vs World: DC Setup Costs – $4–6M vs $10M+ per MW, 10 Points

💡 India’s Data Centre Industry 2025: Market Size, Leaders & Investment Outlook

India’s data centre sector is booming — backed by government incentives, digital consumption, and global cloud adoption. Here’s a complete breakdown of the current scenario, top players, future plans, and foreign investment potential.


1️⃣ India Has 138+ Data Centres (2025)

  • Total Operational Data Centres: 138+

  • Installed Capacity: 1,263 MW

  • Real Estate Footprint: 15.9 million sq. ft

  • Projected by 2030:

    • Capacity: 4,500+ MW

    • Area: 55 million+ sq. ft


2️⃣ India’s Data Centre Industry Valued at $10 Billion

  • Current Market Size (2025): ~$10 billion

  • Investment Since 2020: $10–15 billion

  • Expected by 2030:

    • New Investments: $20–25 billion

    • Growth Areas: Hyperscale, green infra, tier-2 cities


3️⃣ India Ranks 13th Globally in DC Capacity

  • Global Standing: 13th in total data centre count

  • Among Top 5 in APAC Growth

  • Competitive Advantages:

    • 30–40% lower CAPEX per MW than US/Singapore

    • Affordable land, labour, and power

  • Challenges:

    • Power stability issues in some regions

    • Regulatory delays in certain states


4️⃣ Top 10 Data Centres in India by Investment (2025)

Here are the leading data centres based on investment, scale, and capacity:

4.1 CtrlS DC3, Hyderabad

  • Investment: ₹500 Cr (~$60M)

  • Capacity: 13 MW

  • Launched: 2024

  • Highlights: AI-ready, LEED Platinum

4.2 CtrlS Data Centre Park, Chennai

  • Investment: ₹4,000 Cr (~$480M)

  • Type: Hyperscale Campus

  • Launched: 2025

  • Future Capacity: Multi-phase expansion

4.3 Equinix MB4 AI DC, Chennai

  • Investment: ₹600 Cr (~$69M)

  • Cabinets: 800 now, scalable to 4,250

  • Opened: September 2025

  • Focus: Liquid cooling, AI-optimized design

4.4 AdaniConneX, Noida

  • Planned Investment: $1 Billion

  • Phase 1 Capacity: 50 MW

  • Status: Under development

4.5 Yotta NM1, Navi Mumbai

  • Investment: ₹1,000 Cr (~$120M)

  • Capacity: 50 MW

  • Operational Since: 2020

4.6 STT GDC, Pune

  • Investment: ₹1,500 Cr

  • Capacity: 36+ MW

  • Operator: ST Telemedia, Singapore

4.7 Reliance Jio DC Network

  • Total Investment Plan: ₹15,000 Cr (~$1.8B)

  • Deployment: Pan-India (Edge + Core)

  • Use Case: 5G, cloud, IoT

4.8 Google DC, Visakhapatnam (Planned)

  • Investment: $6 Billion (incl. green power)

  • Capacity: Up to 1 GW

  • Announced: July 2025

4.9 Amazon AWS DC, Hyderabad

  • Investment: $4.4 Billion

  • Goal: Full rollout by 2030

  • Usage: Cloud storage, SaaS, AI compute

4.10 NTT Global DC, Mumbai

  • Investment: ₹2,000 Cr+

  • Capacity: 100+ MW across India

  • Backed By: Japan-based NTT Group


5️⃣ $25 Billion Investment Pipeline by 2030

  • Data Centre Pipeline (2025–30): $20–25 billion

  • Focus Areas:

    • Hyperscale campuses

    • Renewable energy integration

    • Edge data centres in tier-2 cities

  • Target Capacity: 4,500+ MW

  • Projected ROI: High due to digital surge and cost advantage


6️⃣ Tier-2 Cities Drive Next Phase of Growth

  • Emerging DC Hubs: Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Lucknow

  • Drivers:

    • Cheaper land

    • Regional demand from BFSI, e-Gov, eCommerce

    • State-level incentives

  • Edge Infrastructure: Being built to reduce latency in remote zones


7️⃣ India Targets 100% Green Data Centres by 2030

  • Current Trend:

    • Liquid cooling

    • Solar & wind energy adoption

    • LEED & IGBC certifications

  • Policy Push:

    • Mandatory ESG reporting

    • Renewable power PPAs encouraged

  • Investor Benefit: ESG-compliant infra eligible for green funding


8️⃣ India Offers 30–40% Cost Advantage

Key Cost Comparisons:

  • Setup Cost per MW: $4–6M in India vs $10M+ in US/Singapore

  • Power Cost: ₹6–7/kWh (competitive across DC-friendly states)

  • Labour: Skilled IT and infra workforce at low cost

  • Land: 30–60% cheaper in Tier-2 zones


9️⃣ How India Compares with Global DC Hubs

Metric India USA Singapore UAE
Setup Cost/MW $4–6M $10M+ $12M+ $8M+
Power Cost ₹6–7/kWh ₹8–10 ₹10+ ₹8+
Labour Cost Low High High Medium
Green Energy Growing Stable Limited Moderate
Real Estate Affordable Expensive Scarce Medium

Verdict: India offers best-in-class cost efficiency with a rapidly scaling digital economy.


🔟 Why Global Investors Are Betting Big on India’s Data Centres

  1. Massive User Base: 880M+ internet users

  2. High ROI: Low CAPEX + fast digital adoption

  3. Policy Support: Tax breaks, capital subsidies, fast-track clearances

  4. Localization Laws: Indian data must stay in India – huge demand

  5. Strategic Location: Submarine cable landings for global reach

  6. Tier-2 Opportunity: Untapped potential with lower setup costs

  7. Green Credentials: Solar- and wind-integrated campuses attract ESG funds


⚠️ Disclaimer – The Profit India

This content is created purely for informational and analytical purposes. The data presented here is based on credible public sources and industry estimates as of September 2025. Actual project costs, returns, and valuations may vary. The Profit India does not offer investment advice. Readers should consult certified professionals before making any financial decisions.


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