The Vizag Gigafactory of Data: RIL’s ₹1.6 Lakh Crore AI Bet

Reliance Industries (RIL) has announced plans to invest ₹1.6 lakh crore in developing a 1.5 GW data centre cluster along with a captive solar and battery storage system in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The project, approved by the state’s Investment Promotion Committee, will be implemented in three phases and is expected to become one of the largest data centre clusters in India.

The company has sought around 935 acres of land for the development, which aims to strengthen AI capabilities and support the country’s growing digital infrastructure needs. This initiative reflects RIL’s focus on advancing technology, integrating renewable energy, and positioning India as a key global hub for data processing and storage.

The first phase will involve a 500 MW data centre at Polipalli village, with commercial operations targeted to begin by October 2028. The second phase will add 1 GW of capacity by 2030, with the cluster located near the upcoming airport at Bhogapuram, close to Visakhapatnam.

Spread across approximately 300 acres in the first phase and 635 acres in the second phase, the project will also include supporting infrastructure such as a cable landing station and a desalination plant. Overall, the development is expected to boost the growth of India’s data centre sector, supported by Andhra Pradesh’s strategic location and infrastructure advantages.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.