Meta and Reliance Join Forces for Data Centre in India

Meta Platforms, Inc. and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) have announced a significant expansion of their strategic alliance with plans to create an artificial intelligence-enabled data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This facility is notable for being the first custom-built data centre for Meta in India and will assist in enhancing the technological capabilities of the company as it serves its diverse global marketplace.

The new data centre will have an initial capacity of 168 megawatts (MW), with provisions for future scaling. This venture underscores Meta's commitment to India, benefiting from the nation's rapidly developing digital economy and vast user base. Mark Zuckerberg, the Founder and CEO of Meta, expressed pride in this collaboration, stating, "We’re proud to be working with Reliance to build our first AI-enabled data centre in India. This world-class facility in Jamnagar will help us scale our AI infrastructure globally while deepening our long-term investment in India’s economy."

The decision to site the data centre in Jamnagar aligns with Reliance's plans to establish one of the world's largest data centre campuses in the region. The facility will predominantly utilise renewable energy and is designed to be cooled using desalinated seawater, reflecting both companies' commitment to sustainability.

Mukesh D. Ambani, the Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, emphasized the venture's significance, stating, "This partnership with Meta marks a transformative moment for India’s digital infrastructure. Building India’s first built-to-suit data centre for a global technology leader of Meta’s scale demonstrates India’s readiness to be at the forefront of the global AI revolution."

The data centre will provide end-to-end services managed by Reliance, covering aspects such as design, construction, and operations. The centre is anticipated to play an essential role in Meta's infrastructure growth and operational capabilities globally.

Meta’s latest investment complements previous initiatives, including a notable investment in Jio Platforms in 2020, aimed at enhancing connectivity across India. This collaboration is expected to not only advance Meta’s digital endeavours but also foster growth among small businesses in the region. The data centre agreement marks yet another chapter in the extensive partnership between both companies, which encompasses various aspects of connectivity, commerce, and artificial intelligence.

Moreover, Meta has committed to sourcing almost 1 gigawatt (GW) of new clean and renewable energy in India, solidifying its dedication to sustainable practices and reducing emissions associated with its operations. This step aligns with Meta’s global goal of powering all operations entirely with renewable energy.