Meta and Reliance Collaborate on AI-Powered Data Center in India
Meta and Reliance Industries have announced an important extension of their strategic relationship with plans to establish an AI-driven data center in India. Situated in Jamnagar, Gujarat, this project underscores Meta’s strong dedication to India by providing the infrastructure necessary to support its products and AI capabilities for one of its largest and quickest-growing communities worldwide. Reliance will construct a data center with a 168 MW capacity, which Meta will lease, with options for expansion.
“We’re proud to be working with Reliance to build our first AI-enabled data center 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,” stated Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta.
Investing in India
Meta is making significant investments to increase its capacity to support its technologies, services, and AI initiatives that cater to billions of people around the globe. With a rapidly advancing digital economy, a vast user base, and a strong partnership with Reliance, India is an ideal location for investment.
The new Reliance data center in Jamnagar, which Meta is leasing, will be powered by renewable energy and cooled using desalinated seawater. Meta will bear the full cost of the energy and water required for the facility. This investment represents a pivotal step in Meta’s global infrastructure expansion and strengthens its long-term strategic partnership with Reliance, which covers connectivity, commerce, and AI innovation in one of the world’s most vibrant digital markets.
Jamnagar is strategically chosen, as Reliance is developing one of the world’s largest data center campuses there, with the energy resources necessary to support cutting-edge AI-enabled infrastructure. The initial phase will provide 168 MW of capacity, with potential for future scaling. This complements Meta’s extensive network projects, such as Project Waterworth, the world’s longest subsea cable system, aimed at enhancing connectivity in the region and serving India’s community efficiently.
A Evolving Partnership
Over the years, Meta and Reliance Industries have cultivated a robust partnership, sharing a vision to advance India’s digital landscape. In 2020, Meta made a significant $5.7 billion investment in Jio Platforms to boost connectivity and small business growth across India. The collaboration deepened through a joint initiative to introduce Meta’s open-source AI models to Indian businesses and developers. The current data center agreement signifies the next phase, extending the partnership to include the physical infrastructure that supports Meta’s products and AI capabilities in one of the world’s largest digital economies.
“This partnership with Meta marks a transformative moment for India’s digital infrastructure. Building India’s first built-to-suit AI data center for a global technology leader of Meta’s scale demonstrates India’s readiness to be at the forefront of the global AI revolution. At Reliance, we are committed to building world-class digital infrastructure that will power the next generation of AI innovation — not just for India, but for the world,” said Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited.
Commitment to Clean Energy
Meta has also announced contracting nearly 1 GW of new clean and renewable energy in India through agreements with top clean energy providers:
- CleanMax: 837 MW of new solar and wind projects in Rajasthan and Karnataka. This raises the total capacity announced with CleanMax to over 900 MW.
- Fourth Partner Energy: 88 MW of new solar and wind projects across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
These agreements, along with Reliance’s efforts to power the Jamnagar data center with renewable energy, show a significant commitment to India’s clean energy sector. This ensures that Meta’s expanding infrastructure in the country is supported by renewable energy, aligning with Meta’s global objective of matching all operations with 100% clean and renewable energy.
