A $15bn AI datacentre project by Google in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is generating controversy over its environmental impact and land acquisition. Local residents and activists have expressed concerns regarding the project's scale and the speed of its approval process.
The project, intended to be Google's largest "hyperscale" AI datacentre outside the US, was initially announced as a 1GW project. However, state environmental clearances indicate permission has been granted for a 2.51GW facility, equivalent to the power output of two large nuclear reactors. This could account for over 30% of Andhra Pradesh's current energy consumption annually.
Concerns have been raised about the environmental consequences, including increased fossil fuel emissions, as 75% of India's electricity grid currently runs on coal. Activists also fear the datacentre's heat emissions could exacerbate high temperatures in Tarluvada, where summer temperatures can reach 45C, and that the project's water demands could strain local supplies in an already water-stressed region. Google has stated the project will use air-cooling and will have "no expected impact" on the local community.
The state government issued environmental clearances for the project in nine days, without public consultation. Three petitions challenging this rapid approval have been filed with India's National Green Tribunal, alleging that the government's assessment of environmental and water risks was "grossly inadequate, scientifically unrealistic, and misleading." A public litigation has also been filed in the Andhra Pradesh high court.