Google India AI Hub Approved for 2.51GW, Not 1GW

Google’s massive artificial intelligence infrastructure project in Andhra Pradesh has secured environmental approval for 2.51 gigawatts of capacity, a figure that more than doubles the initial 1GW scale announced by the tech giant. This revelation stems from official clearance documents reviewed by The Guardian, highlighting a significant discrepancy between the company’s public messaging and the regulatory reality. The approved power load is substantial, equivalent to the output of two large nuclear reactors and exceeding 30% of the state’s current annual electricity consumption.

Regulatory Approval and Environmental Concerns

The Visakhapatnam AI hub, unveiled in October 2025 through a partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel, received its green light from the state government in just nine days. Notably, this rapid approval process bypassed public hearings, a procedural omission that has sparked legal challenges. The Human Rights Forum has filed three petitions at India’s National Green Tribunal, while a separate case is currently pending before the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The project spans three sites surrounding Visakhapatnam, raising serious ecological alarms. One of these locations sits mere meters away from a reserve forest, a critical drinking water reservoir, and a wildlife sanctuary. Critics argue that such proximity threatens fragile ecosystems and local water security, despite Google’s assertions regarding its cooling methods.

Land Displacement and Community Impact

In the village of Tarluvada, the human cost of the expansion is becoming increasingly visible. Approximately 520 families recently faced the revocation of land rights on plots that the government had allocated to them roughly two decades ago. According to local accounts, security personnel affiliated with the Adani Group erected fences in April, effectively blocking residents from accessing agricultural lands they had cultivated for years.

The displacement has disproportionately affected Dalit farmers who were compensated for their land but have yet to receive the replacement plots or employment opportunities promised during the acquisition process. P Venkat Rao, one of the 47 Dalit farmers involved, sold his only acre for $40,000 but now faces an uncertain future without a livelihood. “I am a farmer, without my land I am nothing,” Rao stated in an interview with The Guardian.

While the state government maintains that no land was seized forcibly and that eligible recipients were adequately compensated, the Adani Group asserts that all legal approvals are in place. Local residents, however, describe a starkly different reality on the ground.

Corporate Response and Economic Incentives

Google has defended the project by emphasizing its technological design, specifically noting that the data centers will use air cooling rather than water-based systems. The company argues this approach will not deplete local drinking water supplies and claims there will be no adverse impact on the surrounding community. Furthermore, Google highlights the economic benefits, stating that the hub is expected to generate thousands of jobs in the Visakhapatnam region.

Despite these assurances, the financial incentives provided to Google are immense. Reports indicate that the state’s package, which includes tax breaks and subsidized land, power, and water, is valued at approximately 220 billion rupees ($2.2 billion) over a 20-year period.

This conflict reflects a broader global trend where data center expansions face resistance due to resource consumption and land rights issues, mirroring protests seen in the United States and other regions. As of now, the petitions filed with the National Green Tribunal remain undecided, leaving the fate of the project and the rights of the affected communities in limbo.