Designing the Future: Sustainable Data Centres for India’s Digital Economy

India’s digital transformation is driving unprecedented growth in data centre infrastructure. With hundreds of megawatts already live and significant capacity under construction, the sector is expanding at pace. This growth is fuelled by rising cloud adoption, hyperscale investment, artificial intelligence (AI), and the rapid expansion of digital‑first industries, with market forecasts indicating that this momentum will continue well into the next decade. 

As demand grows, sustainability has become a business-critical priority for the Indian data centre industry. These facilities form the backbone of the digital economy, and the way they are designed, built, and operated will directly influence India’s ability to meet both its economic and environmental ambitions. Therefore, sustainable design is no longer optional, but fundamental to the future of digital infrastructure. 

In this white paper, we examine the Indian data centre market and share best practices for designing, building, and operating sustainable facilities in the region. Drawing on industry insight and practical experience, the paper highlights key considerations for developers, operators, and end users seeking to support India’s long term digital growth while aligning with evolving sustainability frameworks.