Adani, Digital Realty to build data centre infrastructure in India

Ahemadabad-based multinational business conglomerate Adani Group has partnered with San Francisco-headquartered wholesale data centre provider Digital Realty Trust to build data centre infrastructure in India. 

The companies recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and will look into developing and operating data centres, data centre parks and cultivating undersea cable provider communities of interest across India.

Under the deal, Digital Realty will offer its experience and solutions for its global data centre customer base, whereas Adani Group will offer its expertise in full-stack energy management, renewable power, and real estate development and management, the companies said in a joint statement. 

Gautam Adani, chairman, Adani Group said the company’s ability to power data centres with solar and wind energy will address some of the challenges of building and operating data centres in India. 

“We are strongly committed to working with Adani to build out a world-class data center network in India to support the growth of our global and Indian customers,” said A. William Stein, chief executive officer, Digital Realty. 

Founded in 2004 by Giuliano Fann and Rick Magnuson, Digital Realty Trust is a wholesale data centre provider, delivering customised data analysis solutions to businesses. Its clients include companies of all sizes, ranging from cloud and information technology services, communications and social networking to financial services, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and consumer products.

Earlier this year, Adani Group had partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up renewable energy-powered data centres in the state. This is part of the Group's commitment to invest more than Rs 70,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh’s digital and energy infrastructure over the next 20 years. 

Data centre infrastructure in India has seen major investments over the past few months.  Real estate giant Hiranandani Group had recently said it is investing Rs 15,000 crore in building data centres in India.  Other emerging players in the space include Reliance Industries and Oracle. 

In April, Flipkart had announced the launch of its second data center in Hyderabad to strengthen the technology infrastructure of the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant.