Minister Lokesh Strong Counters for Criticism of Data Centers in Visakhapatnam

Amaravati : Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh gave a strong counter to the criticisms made by YSRCP leaders on Visakhapatnam data centers. Minister Lokesh gave this answer in the Assembly to the questions asked by Jana Sena MLA Nagamadhavi on data centers. He said that there is misinformation being spread about the water consumption of data centers. He emphasized that data centers are very crucial for the AI-based digital economy. He commented that other IT companies have increased their interest in Visakhapatnam with Google’s investment. He revealed that if the data center ecosystem reaches 6.5 GW, about 3 TMC of water will be required per year. That water will not be diverted to data centers: Minister Lokesh said that the water consumption of data centers will be further reduced with new cooling technologies. He explained that the water for data centers comes from industrial allocations in Polavaram water. He clarified that the water allocated for the water needs of the people of Visakhapatnam should be diverted to data centers. He said that steps will be taken to ensure that water supply from Polavaram to Visakhapatnam city through gravity will be available in 18 months. He explained that special pipelines will be set up for data centers. He revealed that a data center requires about one-tenth of the water compared to a 1 GW thermal power plant. We will develop data centers like this: Why are there protests against data centers instead of thermal power plants’ water consumption? Minister Lokesh questioned. He said that CM Chandrababu had said that a limit of 6.5 GW has been imposed on data center allocations. He said that the target of 6.5 GW data center allocations has already been achieved. He made it clear that his government will give priority to companies that prioritize environmental protection. Minister Nara Lokesh stated that data centers will be developed without any problem to the water needs of the people of Visakhapatnam.