Microsoft has announced the establishment of its new cloud region, India South Central, designed to operate with effectively zero water for cooling. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, revealed this at the Microsoft AI Infrastructure Summit India, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and functionality. The new facility in Hyderabad will be Microsoft’s fourth cloud region in the country, complementing existing regions in Pune, Chennai, and Mumbai.

Chandok explained that the Hyderabad site will be Microsoft’s second strategic hub in India, representing a significant investment in compute capacity. The region will be constructed to support artificial intelligence (AI) workloads from the outset, ensuring the company meets growing technological demands while adhering to sustainability goals.

At the summit, Chandok reiterated the importance of addressing water usage and energy sourcing in the development of data centres worldwide. He stated that two central questions arise with every new facility: how much water is consumed and the source of power used. Microsoft aims to provide transparent answers to these concerns, aligning its operations with global sustainability standards.

Water Consumption and Renewable Energy Initiatives

According to Chandok, the India South Central cloud region is specially designed to require little to no water for cooling purposes. He stated, “Effectively zero water for cooling in India South Central. We are not needing water in the first place by design.” This strategy reflects Microsoft’s overarching commitment to sustainability, particularly in addressing environmental impacts.

The company also announced plans to integrate substantial renewable energy sources into its operations. Currently, Microsoft has contracted 1 gigawatt of renewable energy in India, with 630 megawatts already in use. Chandok outlined a vision for 2030, whereby Microsoft aims to become completely carbon negative, water positive, and generate no waste, signalling a robust commitment to sustainable infrastructure.

Chandok emphasised the scale of infrastructure necessary to support the growing data centre capacity in India. Presently, the nation has approximately 2 gigawatts (GW) of data centre capacity. By 2035, he anticipates that this capacity could expand six to seven fold, illustrating the rapid growth trajectory of the industry. This increase is essential in meeting the rising demand for digital services across various sectors.

Potential Impact on India’s Data Centre Landscape

This announcement marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s expansion of its cloud services in India. The launch of the India South Central region is expected to enhance the country’s capabilities in providing cloud services and AI solutions. As Microsoft establishes additional data centres, there will likely be increased opportunities for local businesses and advancements in the technology sector.

Chandok concluded by reinforcing the company’s efforts to align technological growth with environmental responsibility. By addressing concerns over water and electricity directly, Microsoft aims to set an industry standard for sustainability in the cloud computing space. The development of the India South Central cloud region presents an opportunity not only for Microsoft but also for the broader Indian economy, encouraging innovation while prioritising ecological integrity.

The ongoing focus on renewable energy and sustainable practices positions Microsoft as a leader in corporate responsibility within the tech industry. The efforts put forth for this new cloud region, alongside its existing facilities, collectively represent a strategic commitment to help shape a more sustainable future for India’s digital infrastructure.

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