Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Lokesh Defends Vizag Data Centres Amid Water Concerns
Nara Lokesh spoke in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly about planned data centres in Visakhapatnam.
Some lawmakers and critics were worried that the centres might use too much water.
Lokesh said misleading videos and claims were increasing these worries.
He estimated that the full 6.5 GW data-centre project would use about 3 TMC of water each year with today’s technology.
He said this water would come from the industrial share of the Polavaram Project, not from people’s drinking-water supply.
Special pipelines would carry water to the centres, while a separate gravity-based city water system is expected within 18 months.
New cooling methods and a desalination plant could reduce pressure on water supplies.
The government also wants the centres to use at least 70% renewable energy.
Lokesh said the projects could create jobs and support a wider artificial-intelligence industry.
Nara Lokesh said misinformation was being spread about Visakhapatnam data centres’ environmental and water requirements.
The state says it has secured its 6.5 GW data-centre allocation target for Visakhapatnam.
Lokesh estimated that 6.5 GW of capacity would require about 3 TMC of water annually using current technology.
He said the centres would use industrially allocated Polavaram Project water through dedicated pipelines, without diverting residential supplies.
The government plans newer cooling systems, a 100-million-litre-per-day desalination plant and at least 70% renewable energy use.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh replied to questions from Legislative Assembly members.
- What
- Lokesh defended the state’s Visakhapatnam data-centre initiative and outlined its expected water use, energy requirements and supporting infrastructure.
- When
- Wednesday, according to the reports.
- Where
- The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, concerning data centres planned for Visakhapatnam.
- Why
- The discussion followed concerns and claims about the centres’ water consumption, environmental effects and possible impact on the city’s drinking-water supply.
Critics’ Concerns
Government’s Defense
Water consumption
Critics’ Concerns
Assembly members and critics questioned whether the data centres would require excessive water or compete with other needs.
Government’s Defense
Lokesh estimated annual use at about 3 TMC for 6.5 GW, said newer cooling technologies could reduce consumption, and argued that a comparable 1 GW thermal power plant uses nearly ten times more water.
Impact on residents
Critics’ Concerns
Concerns focused on whether Visakhapatnam’s existing drinking-water resources could be redirected to the data centres.
Government’s Defense
Lokesh said residential water would not be diverted; the centres would use additional Polavaram water from the industrial allocation through dedicated pipelines.
Environmental and development priorities
Critics’ Concerns
Critics questioned the environmental consequences of prioritising a large data-centre ecosystem and its associated infrastructure.
Government’s Defense
Lokesh said the centres were needed for India’s AI infrastructure and data sovereignty, while environmentally responsible companies, renewable energy and lower-water cooling systems would be prioritised.
- Data-centre target
- The state says it has achieved the 6.5 GW allocation target for Visakhapatnam.
- Estimated water use
- About 3 TMC annually for 6.5 GW under current technology.
- Planned water source
- Industrial-allocation water from the Polavaram Project, delivered through dedicated pipelines.
- City water supply
- A separate gravity-based Polavaram water system for Visakhapatnam is expected within 18 months.
- Renewable energy requirement
- Data centres have been mandated to use at least 70% green energy.
- Desalination capacity
- A 100-million-litre-per-day desalination plant is being established.
- Connectivity infrastructure
- Three cable landing stations are planned in Visakhapatnam.
- Expected employment and investment
- The cooling ecosystem in Rayalaseema is expected to create about 20,000 jobs, while a logistics company linked to Google is expected to invest Rs 1,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh.
