Blackstone-backed data centre operator AirTrunk is planning a major expansion in Andhra Pradesh, with its Indian entity, AirTrunk India-JCK Infra, proposing an investment of ₹1.03 lakh crore, approximately $11 billion, to develop large-scale data centre infrastructure. The proposal includes 1,400 megawatts (MW) of planned capacity and is expected to generate approximately 3,120 jobs.
The investment agreement was announced on November 13, 2026, during the second day of the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam. The commitment represents the largest individual investment announced among the 12 agreements signed that day. It also highlights Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to attract global technology companies as demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure accelerates.
AirTrunk Proposes ₹1.03 Lakh Crore Investment
AirTrunk India-JCK Infra has proposed investing ₹1,03,018 crore in data centre campuses and associated infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed development covers 1,400 MW of data centre capacity, with an estimated employment potential of 3,120 jobs. The agreement was signed with the Andhra Pradesh government’s Information Technology Department in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The investment accounts for nearly 73% of the ₹1,41,585 crore in proposed investments announced by the state through 12 agreements on November 13.
The announcements included 11 memoranda of understanding and one government order, covering projects across infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy and technology.
The state government is seeking to convert these investment commitments into operating projects by providing infrastructure support and facilitating approvals.
Key details of the proposed investment:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | AirTrunk India-JCK Infra |
| Investor backing | Blackstone and CPPIB |
| Proposed investment | ₹1,03,018 crore |
| Approximate dollar value | $11 billion |
| Planned data centre capacity | 1,400 MW |
| Expected employment | 3,120 jobs |
| Location | Andhra Pradesh |
| Announcement date | November 13, 2026 |
| Event | 31st CII Partnership Summit |
The investment and capacity figures represent a proposal announced through an agreement. They should not be interpreted as completed construction or operational capacity.
AirTrunk’s Wider Expansion Plans in India
AirTrunk is an Australian hyperscale data centre company that develops and operates large facilities for cloud computing providers and other major technology businesses.
The company entered India in April 2026 through its acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra, giving it access to an existing development pipeline of approximately 600 MW across Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.
The acquisition provided AirTrunk with an established Indian platform, local operating capabilities and relationships that could support further expansion.
In June 2026, AirTrunk announced plans to invest more than $30 billion in India by 2030 and develop over 5 gigawatts of digital infrastructure capacity.
The company identified India as one of its major long-term growth markets, reflecting rising demand for data centre services and AI infrastructure.
The Andhra Pradesh proposal adds another significant development to that expansion strategy. It also extends the company’s disclosed project activity beyond the three cities included in the Lumina acquisition.
AirTrunk is backed by Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), giving it access to institutional capital for large infrastructure developments.
Andhra Pradesh Wants to Become a Data Centre Hub
Andhra Pradesh has been positioning itself as a destination for large technology infrastructure projects, particularly data centres and artificial intelligence-related investments.
The state has promoted its industrial land availability, infrastructure development and potential access to energy as advantages for companies considering large-scale facilities.
Visakhapatnam has emerged as an important location in these plans, with the government seeking to develop an AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem.
The AirTrunk agreement adds to the state’s efforts to attract international investors and establish facilities capable of supporting growing demand for cloud services, enterprise computing and AI workloads.
Other major investment proposals announced during the November 13 summit included:
- Jindal Group: Proposed investment of ₹15,000 crore in mining operations at Kandukur.
- Indian Oil Corporation: Proposed investment of ₹6,600 crore.
- GreenGen Renewable Energy: Proposed investment of ₹8,000 crore.
- Dixon Technologies: Proposed investment of ₹700 crore, with an estimated 2,300 jobs.
- Kakinada Seaports: Proposed investment of ₹6,452 crore in port-related infrastructure.
The AirTrunk proposal was significantly larger than the other individual commitments announced that day.
AI and Cloud Computing Drive Data Centre Demand
The investment comes as demand for data centre capacity increases worldwide.
Cloud computing companies, artificial intelligence developers, financial institutions and large businesses require facilities capable of storing and processing enormous volumes of information.
The expansion of generative AI has increased the need for specialised infrastructure because training and operating advanced AI models requires substantial computing power.
Large data centres house servers, networking equipment, storage systems and supporting infrastructure. Hyperscale facilities are designed to accommodate significant computing requirements and can expand as customer demand increases.
India is becoming an increasingly important market because of its large internet user base, growing digital economy, expanding cloud adoption and rising demand for AI services.
AirTrunk’s investment plans reflect expectations that Indian businesses and international technology companies will require substantially more computing capacity over the coming years.
The company’s wider expansion strategy is also part of a regional investment trend, as infrastructure providers compete to build facilities capable of supporting increasingly demanding AI workloads.
Power and Infrastructure Will Be Critical
Despite the scale of the proposed investment, implementation will depend on more than securing land and signing agreements.
Data centres require continuous electricity to operate servers and cooling systems. Even short interruptions can affect customers running critical digital services.
Power availability and long-term electricity costs will therefore be important considerations for AirTrunk as it develops its Andhra Pradesh plans.
Water management is another important issue. Many data centre cooling systems require significant water resources, making efficient cooling technology and sustainable water supplies essential for long-term operations.
The company has previously highlighted reliable power, renewable energy availability, sustainable water supplies and faster regulatory approvals as important conditions for its wider Indian investment programme.
The state government will also need to coordinate supporting infrastructure, including electricity connections, roads and other essential services.
The expected 3,120 jobs represent the project’s stated employment potential. Actual recruitment will depend on construction progress and the requirements of the operational facilities.
The Bigger Picture
AirTrunk’s proposed $11 billion investment reflects the growing importance of data centres in India’s technology and infrastructure economy.
For years, India’s digital expansion was largely associated with telecommunications networks, software services and internet platforms. The growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence is creating another major investment opportunity: the physical infrastructure required to process and store digital information.
The proposal also illustrates how global infrastructure investors are increasingly looking beyond established technology hubs to develop large facilities in emerging markets.
For Andhra Pradesh, attracting AirTrunk could strengthen its position in the competition among Indian states for data centre and AI infrastructure investment. However, the ultimate economic impact will depend on whether the proposed investment moves from an agreement into construction and operational capacity.
Looking Ahead
The next stage for the AirTrunk-JCK Infra proposal will involve translating the agreement into an executable development plan. Land arrangements, power availability, water infrastructure, regulatory approvals and construction timelines will determine how quickly the proposed 1,400 MW capacity can be developed. The state government’s ability to coordinate these requirements will be important for keeping the project on track.
For AirTrunk, the Andhra Pradesh proposal adds to its wider ambition to invest more than $30 billion in India by 2030. If implemented, the project could strengthen the country’s hyperscale data centre ecosystem and support growing demand from cloud providers and AI companies. The announcement is a significant investment commitment, but its longer-term impact will depend on execution.
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