AirTrunk commits $30 billion to build 5GW of AI data centers in India by 2030

AirTrunk commits $30B to build 5GW of AI data centers in India

Blackstone-backed data center operator AirTrunk said on Thursday it would invest $30 billion in India by 2030, adding to a wave of commitments from technology and infrastructure groups seeking to expand computing capacity in the country. The Australian company said it would develop 5 gigawatts of new data center capacity in India, one of the largest commitments to the South Asian nation's digital infrastructure sector. AirTrunk entered India earlier this year through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra. AirTrunk's commitment underlines India's growing appeal as a destination for AI infrastructure, as tech companies and investors seek new geographies to expand computing capacity. Data center capacity in the country is projected to rise to as much as 8GW by 2030 from about 1.5GW today, according to research firm Bernstein. The Indian government has also taken steps to attract investment in AI infrastructure. Earlier this year, New Delhi offered foreign cloud providers tax exemptions through 2047 on services sold overseas if those workloads are run from Indian data centers. AirTrunk has already begun laying the groundwork for its expansion in the country. Earlier this week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a post on X that the western Indian state had exchanged a letter of intent for land allotment at the Raigad Pen Growth Center, where AirTrunk is planning a 3GW data center involving an investment of about ₹2 trillion (around $21 billion). The company already has a development pipeline of about 600MW across Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. AirTrunk did not respond to questions on whether the proposed Raigad project would account for most of the planned 5GW capacity, or whether it plans to make additional developments elsewhere in India. The announcement follows a meeting between AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said in a post on X that the planned investment would help strengthen India's position as a global hub for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. AirTrunk joins a growing list of companies investing in infrastructure in the country. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Uber have announced major investments in cloud and AI infrastructure, while Indian companies Reliance Industries, Adani Group, and TCS have laid out ambitious plans to expand data center capacity. However, data centers require vast amounts of electricity, water and land, and industry executives and analysts have pointed to resource issues as a potential bottleneck, particularly regarding power. Deloitte estimates data center build-outs in the Asia Pacific could require tens of terawatt-hours of additional electricity by the end of the decade. AirTrunk's investment thesis is underpinned by government support, a large pool of technical talent, and access to renewable energy, Khuda said.

AirTrunk announces $30 billion investment in India for data centers

AirTrunk plans a massive $30 billion investment to build 5 gigawatts of data center capacity in India by 2030. This significant investment aligns with India's digital infrastructure goals. The company's CEO met with Prime Minister Modi, highlighting India's favorable conditions for technology investment. This initiative will create numerous local jobs and attract substantial cloud and AI investment. AirTrunk, owned by Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, has announced a $30 billion investment to set up data centers in India with a 5 gigawatts capacity by 2030. With this announcement it could become one of the biggest investors in India's digital infrastructure creation initiatives over the next few years. The announcement synchronized with the visit of AirTrunk's founder and chief executive officer Robin Khuda's visit to India during which he also met Prime Minister Modi. AirTrunk has acquired Lumina Cloudinfra in April which gave it a 600 megawatts data center development pipeline in cities such as Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. "Capital is mobile, and India is creating the conditions for it to thrive. India is taking a top-down approach to AI with clear government-led initiatives, a world-class talent pool and massive availability of renewable energy," said Robin Kuda, founder and chief executive officer, AirTrunk. The company has been "bullish" on India, he said. "Prime Minister Modi's vision for India's digital economy has helped create one of the world's most compelling destinations for technology investment. India has the scale, talent, and ambition required to become a global AI powerhouse. AirTrunk is excited to support that vision through long-term and transformative investment, infrastructure development, community programs and partnership." Digital infrastructure is becoming as important to economic growth as roads, ports and power networks were in previous generations, AirTrunk said in a release. The company said the investment in 5GW of new data centre capacity underpins significant local economic opportunities. "Each major project supports tens of thousands of local jobs supporting the development, construction, and operation while also attracting the cloud, AI, and technology investment that drives long-term productivity and economic growth." India is planning to put up 10 gigawatts of data center capacity by 2030. Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired AirTrunk in 2024

Blackstone-backed AirTrunk to invest $30 billion in India, develop 5 GW data centre capacity by 2030

AirTrunk plans a massive investment of over 3 lakh crore rupees in India by 2030. This will develop more than 5 gigawatts of digital infrastructure capacity. The investment, backed by Blackstone and CPPIB, aims to support India's growing cloud and artificial intelligence needs. This significant development is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost India's global standing in technology. Blackstone-backed data centre company AirTrunk has announced plans to invest more than $30 billion, over Rs 3 lakh crore to develop over 5 gigawatts of digital infrastructure capacity across India by 2030, in what ranks among the largest proposed digital infrastructure investments in the country. The investment programme is backed by Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and will span multiple states and union territories, with the aim of supporting India's expanding cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure requirements. Also read: AirTrunk to invest $21 billion in India data centre The announcement follows AirTrunk Founder and CEO Robin Khuda's first senior government engagement in India since the company entered the market through its acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra in April 2026. That acquisition gave AirTrunk an initial development pipeline of 600 megawatts distributed across Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. During his visit, Khuda met with central government representatives, as well as state ministers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Discussions centred on securing reliable and cost-effective power, renewable energy access, sustainable water supplies, streamlined regulatory approvals, and greater coordination between state and central governments on strategic infrastructure projects. The company cited India's flagship digital programmes, including the IndiaAI Mission, which carries over Rs 10,000 crore ($1.2 billion) in funding, and the Rs 76,000 crore ($9 billion) India Semiconductor Mission, as factors strengthening the investment case for long-term cloud and AI growth in the country. "Capital is mobile, and India is creating the conditions for it to thrive," Khuda said in a statement. He added that India's government-led AI initiatives, talent availability, and renewable energy capacity had reinforced the company's bullishness on the market even before entering through the Lumina acquisition. Also read: Blackstone-owned AirTrunk to build data center in India amid AI boom AirTrunk said the planned 5 GW capacity expansion is expected to generate tens of thousands of jobs across development, construction, and operational phases, and will involve localisation of supply chain operations and increased engagement with domestic businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, calling it among the largest proposed investments in India's digital infrastructure ecosystem and saying it would strengthen the country's position as a global hub for cloud computing and AI.

AirTrunk Bets Big on India With $30 Billion Data Centre Expansion Plan by 2030

"Every market ⁠has strengths and challenges. What investors consistently look for is certainty, coordination and speed," he added. The firm's Indian development pipeline includes ⁠600 megawatts of capacity projects in the key cities of Mumbai, Chennai and , but the range will be increased with the new investment. India is becoming a global hotspot for AI development ⁠by offering tax breaks for foreign firms operating from domestic data centres. During his visit, Khuda met with Federal representatives, as well as State Ministers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, to discuss infrastructure, energy, and policy frameworks necessary to sustain AI-driven growth. "Capital is mobile, and India is creating the conditions for it to thrive," Robin Khuda said in the statement. "India is taking a top-down approach to AI with clear government-led initiatives, a world-class talent pool and massive availability of renewable energy. We were bullish on India before entering the market through Lumina. Following our discussions with government leaders this week, we're looking to double down on that commitment," he added. "We heard a clear message that India is open for investment and determined to compete for the next generation of AI and that will transform India's industries and economy for generations to come," Khuda added.