Scaling Smart: CapitaLand's Sustainable Data Vision for India

India’s data centre sector is experiencing significant growth, propelled by rapid digital adoption, evolving regulations, and advances in technology. In response, CapitaLand Data Centre CLDC) is developing scalable, AI-compatible, and sustainable infrastructure. In this interview, Surajit Chatterjee, Managing Director of Data Centre India at CapitaLand Investment, shares insights into CLDC’s approach to AI, sustainability, and future data management needs.

- Minu Sirsalewala

India's data centre capacity is projected to soar from 350 MW in 2019 to 1,645 MW by 2026, underscoring the nation's rapid digitalisation. With the data centre sector recently granted 'infrastructure status' in the national budget, local and foreign investments are pouring in, bolstering India's positioning as a global data hub. CapitaLand Data Centre (CLDC) is actively participating in this evolution, utilising advancements in AI, sustainability, and high-density infrastructure to address the increasing demand. In a conversation with Minu Sirsalewala, Executive Editor at Dataquest, Surajit Chatterjee shares insights into CLDC's role in this burgeoning landscape and the technologies driving India's data future.

India's data centre capacity has surged from 350 MW in 2019 to a projected 1,645 MW by 2026. What key factors have driven this exponential growth, and how does CLDC plan to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape?

India's data centre landscape has witnessed remarkable growth due to several converging factors. Firstly, the rapid digital transformation across industry sectors has led to an unprecedented increase in data generation and consumption. The proliferation of smartphones, affordable internet, and the government's Digital India initiative have collectively accelerated the adoption of digital services.

Additionally, regulatory developments like data localisation laws have compelled global enterprises to store data within the country, further boosting the demand for local data centres. Also, the surge in cloud adoption, e-commerce, fintech, and the advent of technologies like AI and IoT have significantly contributed to this exponential growth.