India’s first AI data centre to be built in Jamnagar:Meta partners with Reliance to establish 168 MW AI facility; could this project impact the environment?

Artificial Intelligence is getting bigger every day, but behind every AI chatbot, smart assistant, and recommendation system lies something most people never see: massive data centres packed with powerful computers. Now, India is set to become home to one of these next-generation AI facilities as Meta and Reliance Industries join hands for a major new project. Meta’s first AI data centre in India
Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has announced plans to build its first AI-enabled data centre in India. The facility will be developed in partnership with Reliance Industries and will be located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The project marks a significant step in Meta’s efforts to expand its global AI infrastructure while also strengthening its long-term presence in India, one of its largest markets. The upcoming data centre will start with a capacity of 168 megawatts (MW) and is expected to be completed within the next two years. The facility can also be expanded in the future as Meta’s AI requirements continue to grow. Announcing the project, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: “We’re proud to be working with Reliance to build our first AI-enabled data center in India. This world-class facility in Jamnagar will help us scale our AI infrastructure globally while deepening our long-term investment in India’s economy.” What will Reliance do? Reliance Industries will be responsible for building and operating the entire facility. The company will handle everything from designing and constructing the data centre to managing utilities, supplying renewable energy, providing network connectivity, and overseeing day-to-day operations. Why is Meta investing in India? India has become one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets, with millions of people using Meta’s platforms every day. The country is also witnessing rapid growth in AI research, technology startups, and digital services. By setting up a data centre in India, Meta aims to better support its growing user base while strengthening the AI systems that power its products and future technologies. Jamnagar was chosen because it offers several advantages for running large AI facilities. These include strong infrastructure, access to renewable energy, reliable water resources and proximity to key submarine cable landing stations that connect India to global internet networks.
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Could this AI facility impact Jamnagar’s ecosystem? 1. High Energy Consumption AI infrastructure requires enormous amounts of electricity to run thousands of powerful computer chips around the clock. If this energy comes from fossil fuels, it can increase carbon emissions. Meta says the Jamnagar project will run on renewable energy, which could reduce this impact significantly. 2. Water Usage Cooling large AI systems typically requires huge quantities of water. In many countries, communities have raised concerns that such facilities could strain local water resources. For the Jamnagar project, Meta says it plans to use desalinated seawater instead of freshwater. This could help protect local groundwater and drinking water supplies, though desalination itself consumes energy and can have marine environmental impacts if not managed carefully. 3. Land Use and Habitat Changes Large industrial projects require significant land. Construction can affect local vegetation, wildlife habitats, and surrounding ecosystems if environmental safeguards are not properly implemented. 4. Heat Generation These facilities generate substantial heat. While cooling systems are designed to manage this, environmental experts often monitor whether waste heat could affect nearby surroundings over time. Addressing the energy and water challenge AI data centres are often criticised for consuming huge amounts of electricity and water. Across the world, several large projects have faced opposition due to concerns about their environmental impact. Meta says it wants sustainability to be a core part of its India operations. The company has committed to running the facility entirely on renewable energy. Instead of using local freshwater resources for cooling, the data centre will use desalinated seawater, reducing pressure on nearby water supplies. To power the facility, Meta has secured more than 900 MW of renewable energy capacity. A large portion of this energy will come from new solar and wind projects being developed by CleanMax in Rajasthan and Karnataka. Additional renewable power will be supplied through projects developed by Fourth Partner Energy across several Indian states. Meta has also stated that it will cover the full cost of the energy and water infrastructure required for the project.
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A partnership that started years ago The relationship between Meta and Reliance is not new. In 2020, Meta invested $5.7 billion in Jio Platforms, one of the largest foreign investments ever made in India’s digital sector. Since then, the two companies have collaborated on several initiatives aimed at helping businesses grow online and expanding access to digital services. The new AI data centre project represents the next phase of that partnership and highlights India’s growing importance in the global AI race.