Equinix India to boost data centre capacity to 70 MW as AI drives expansion

Equinix India announces major capacity boost

Equinix India said on 20 October 2026 it will increase its total data‑centre capacity from 20 MW to 70 MW within the next two to three years. Managing Director Manoj Paul told Business Standard that the expansion is a direct response to the rapid uptake of artificial‑intelligence (AI) workloads across the country.

AI workloads reshaping location strategy

Historically, Indian data‑centre operators have clustered in metros such as Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. Paul explained that AI‑driven inference and training jobs can be hosted farther from city centres, much like industrial factories, provided the site offers stable power, ample land and a skilled workforce. This flexibility is prompting a shift toward tier‑2 and tier‑3 locations where land is cheaper and expansion can be faster.

New sites in Visakhapatnam and Jamnagar

Visakhapatnam on the east coast and Jamnagar in Gujarat are the two emerging hubs Equinix is eyeing. Both cities boast improved power‑grid reliability and access to large parcels of land, making them attractive for large‑scale, high‑density facilities. Paul added that these locations bring operators closer to enterprise customers spread across the hinterland, reducing latency for AI applications.

Power quality now on par with global peers

India’s electricity supply has seen marked improvements over the past decade. According to Paul, the quality and stability of power in India are now comparable to those in China and Singapore – a critical factor for AI workloads that demand uninterrupted power. The company also noted that land costs in primary metros have risen to levels seen in global markets, encouraging vertical data‑centre construction to maximise space.

Existing footprint and future outlook

Equinix currently runs data centres in Mumbai and Chennai, together delivering about 20 MW of capacity. The planned 70 MW expansion will more than triple that output, positioning the firm to capture a growing slice of the AI‑centric digital infrastructure market. Paul stressed the need for greater customer education on resource consumption, but expressed confidence that India’s evolving ecosystem can support the next wave of AI‑intensive services.

With the expansion slated for completion by 2029, Equinix’s plan underscores India’s broader ambition to become a global hub for AI‑driven digital services, backed by robust infrastructure and a skilled talent pool.