The project will generate approximately Rs 10,000 crore in revenue for Andhra Pradesh
Amaravathi / Visakhapatnam, NFAPost: Google announced a $15 billion investment to set up a large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, its biggest investment outside the US so far.
The facility will integrate AI infrastructure, data centers, renewable energy capacity, and a new subsea gateway, marking the first gigawatt-scale data center campus in the country, Google said in a release.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam is a “landmark development” that will combine gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure.
“Great to speak with India PM @narendramodi @OfficialINDIAai to share our plans for the first-ever Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a post on X.
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said the new centre would make Visakhapatnam a global hub for AI innovation, serving not just India but also other parts of Asia and beyond.
“This gigawatt-scale AI hub will house data locally and help power AI-driven solutions across sectors,” he said, adding that the investment underscores Google’s long-term commitment to India’s digital growth and its focus on sustainable, locally integrated data infrastructure.
Data centers are becoming increasingly critical as AI models, cloud services and digital platforms demand massive computing power and low-latency connectivity. Companies are investing heavily to localise infrastructure, improve resilience and meet real-time processing needs.
The five-year project (2026–2030) is expected to create over 1 lakh jobs, civil aviation minister N Ram Mohan Naidu told media persons on the sidelines of an event held in New Delhi to announce the unveiling of the AI hub.
The Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development – Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar stated that the upcoming 1-GW hyperscale Google Data Centre in Visakhapatnam is expected to generate approximately Rs 10,000 crore in revenue for Andhra Pradesh.
Describing the project as a defining milestone in Swarandhra Pradesh’s journey of progress and self-reliance, the Union Minister highlighted that the investment of approximately $15 billion (USD) over five years (2026-2030) will create 5,000–6,000 direct jobs and 20,000–30,000 total jobs in the state, while bringing essential manpower, infrastructure, power, and cooling facilities to Visakhapatnam, generating a significant multiplier effect on the state’s economy.
He was interacting with the media after Google announced the establishment of an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, during the Bharat AI Shakti event held in New Delhi. The project will include India’s first gigawatt-scale data centre and Google’s first AI hub in India.
Dr Chandrasekhar appreciated the support extended to Andhra Pradesh’s development by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and lauded the continuous efforts of Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu and Shri Nara Lokesh in bringing Google to Andhra Pradesh.
He emphasised that the project is a major step in positioning the state as a digital hub and accelerating AI-driven transformation across India.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, present at the event, said the project aligned with the vision to make India a developed nation by 2047.
“Prime Minister Modi was clear that Google has to come to India for this. We brought Microsoft to Hyderabad earlier, and today, Google is coming to Visakhapatnam. With this, we can achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 using AI,” said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said Google’s investment would play a crucial role in India’s AI Mission, supporting skill development for IT professionals and boosting the digital economy.
“I also urged Google to explore new opportunities in the Andaman Islands as it as a strategic location for future undersea cable networks,” said Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called the collaboration “a reflection of harmony between progressive policymaking and dynamic governance.” She said projects like this underscore India’s readiness to lead the next wave of technological transformation.
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh added that the partnership showcased India’s leadership potential on the global stage.
“What you see is India at its best. It shows that the state and the central government together can lead from the front. At this juncture, I don’t see Andhra Pradesh playing an important role but India playing an important role in the global landscape,” said Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
The event was graced by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT; Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs; Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; Shri Nara Lokesh, IT Minister, Andhra Pradesh; and Shri Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud.
