India AI Impact Summit 2026

the-sustainable-digital-infrastructure-accord-driving-sustainability-of-ai-infrastructure-in-the-asia-pacific-region

7 min read

TRACK:Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency
SPEAKERS
  • Alexander Smith, Google
  • Bimal Khandelwal, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres
  • David Skelton, Flint Global
SESSION OVERVIEW

Aligned with the 'Planet' sutra, this event involves a panel discussion to explore how industry practices for data centres and policy frameworks can advance the sustainability of AI infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The event will commence with a brief presentation on the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA), a unique APAC-level industry initiative to advance digital infrastructure sustainability through voluntary targets covering four areas- energy efficiency, clean energy use, water use, and circular economy.

VIDEO RECORDING

The Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord Driving Sustainability of AI Infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific Region

Abstract

The panel explored how the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA) can provide a region‑wide baseline for data‑centre sustainability across four pillars—energy efficiency, clean‑energy use, water stewardship, and circular‑economy practices. Opening remarks highlighted the rapid growth of AI‑driven data‑centre demand in APAC and the existential climate stakes of the sector. Panelists described industry‑wide shifts from compliance‑driven sustainability to integrated, design‑stage decarbonisation, shared concrete data‑centre efficiency gains at Google, and outlined India’s expanding renewable‑energy capacity and policy incentives. The discussion underscored the need for coordinated government‑industry dialogue, flexible standards that respect diverse climatic contexts, and swift infrastructure‑zone planning to avoid fragmented approaches. The session concluded with concise calls to action for policymakers and industry alike.

Detailed Summary

  • David Skelton opened the session, positioning the Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA) as a central element of the summit’s “Planet” sutra.
  • He highlighted that APAC, and especially India, is emerging as a global tech powerhouse whose AI ambitions are tightly coupled to data‑centre expansion.
  • The urgency of marrying AI growth with climate‑friendly practices was framed as an “existential” issue: without sustainable energy and water use, AI’s promise could become moot.

2. The Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Accord (SDIA) – High‑Level Overview

  • David (and later Bimal) described the APDCA (Asia‑Pacific Data‑Centre Alliance) as a coalition of 10 co‑location operators that collectively own ~250 data‑centres in the region (42 operational in India, 15 under construction).
  • SDIA objectives:
    1. Create the first APAC‑wide baseline of voluntary industry commitments that complement national policies.
    2. Build a structured platform for government‑industry dialogue to share data‑backed best practices and raise the sustainability bar.
  • Four target categories (still under finalisation):
    • Energy Efficiency – annual review of PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) targets.
    • Clean Energy – share of carbon‑free/renewable electricity (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear) supplied directly or indirectly.
    • Water Use – local water‑stress assessments, differentiated water‑management plans, and waste‑heat utilisation.
    • Circular Economy – waste‑heat recovery, embodied‑carbon accounting, and broader material‑recycling goals.
  • The Accord is modelled on the EU Climate‑Neutral Data‑Centre Pact but adapted for APAC’s climatic diversity and fragmented regulatory landscape.

3. Panelist Perspectives

3.1 Rinder Sundararajan – Broadband India Forum (BIF) Viewpoint

  • Emphasised that AI is both a threat and an opportunity for planetary sustainability.
  • Cited estimates that digital‑technology energy use could reach 8‑10 % of total global electricity within a few years, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge.
  • Highlighted India’s potential: with 15‑20 % of global data usage, the country may become the second‑largest data‑centre power consumer in APAC by 2030.
  • Stressed that renewable‑energy growth (220 GW already built, target 500 GW by 2030) positions India to meet AI‑driven demand while keeping the grid clean.
  • Warned about water stress: a single hyperscale facility can consume ≈1.5 M L day⁻¹ for cooling, a critical issue for a nation where ≈18 % of the world’s population lives on 4 % of freshwater resources.
  • Argues for a regional accord (SDIA) to avoid fragmented, jurisdiction‑by‑jurisdiction checklists.

3.2 Bimal Khandelwal – ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (India)

  • Described the explosive growth of data‑centre capacity: from 0.4 GW in 2020 to 1.7 GW in 2025, with a forecast of >6 GW by 2032.
  • Noted a paradigm shift from compliance‑only sustainability to full‑scale decarbonisation:
    1. Carbon‑neutral roadmaps with clear timelines and renewable‑energy procurement pathways.
    2. Recognition that all ecosystem players (hyperscalers, operators, regulators) must collaborate—sustainability is now a contractual clause in many customer agreements.
    3. Design‑level integration of energy‑efficient equipment and water‑saving technologies, rather than retrofitting after construction.
  • Stated that circular‑economy practices and waste‑heat utilisation are now embedded at the conceptual stage of data‑centre projects.

3.3 Alexander Smith – Google

  • Opened with gratitude to APDCA, BIF, METI, and the Indian government for convening the dialogue.
  • Offered historical perspective: migration to cloud over the past 15 years already delivered massive efficiency dividends.
  • Presented AI‑specific efficiency gains: Google’s Gemini model became 33× more compute‑efficient per prompt within a 12‑month period.
  • Highlighted hardware progress: a 6‑fold increase in compute output per unit of electricity in Google data‑centres over the last five years.
  • Moonshot commitments (Google‑wide, not India‑only):
    • 100 % renewable‑energy matching for all global data‑centre operations since 2017.
    • Targeting 24/7 carbon‑free energy by early 2030s (currently ~66 % achieved).
    • 120 % freshwater replenishment by 2030 – returning more water to watersheds than consumed.
  • Described India‑specific actions: building a gigawatt‑plus Google Cloud facility in Visakhapatnam, adding 185 MW of renewable‑energy capacity to the local grid, and establishing an on‑site sub‑station.
  • Stressed the need for region‑specific policy frameworks: water‑rich vs. water‑scarce jurisdictions require different cooling strategies (air‑cooled vs. water‑cooled).

3.4 Sukrit Anand – Digital Connections

  • Provided India‑centric power statistics: recent addition of ≈52 GW of generation capacity, ≈70 % non‑fossil; for the first time non‑fossil generation exceeded fossil generation.
  • Advocated a “power‑first” design philosophy where scalability and sustainability are co‑engineered from concept through operation.
  • Emphasised that industry, hyperscalers, power providers, and regulators must cooperate to integrate sustainability into the data‑centre lifecycle.

3.5 Jamal (policy commentator) – Government/Regulatory View

  • Outlined policy levers supporting the sector:
    • 2022 budget classified data‑centres as infrastructure, unlocking a 22‑year tax holiday for foreign investment—unprecedented in size.
    • State‑level data‑centre policies exist, but implementation speed remains a bottleneck.
    • Calls for fast‑track mechanisms to translate policy intent into on‑ground projects.
  • Stressed the importance of “last‑mile” grid connectivity; generation capacity exists, but transmission to data‑centre sites often lags.

3.6 Moderator Follow‑up – David Skelton & Others

  • Re‑iterated that one‑size‑fits‑all solutions are inadequate across APAC’s climatic spectrum.
  • Highlighted technical trade‑offs (e.g., water‑cooling vs. air‑cooling) and the need for evidence‑based, locally‑tailored standards.
  • Stressed that policy certainty, speed of implementation, and flexible electricity markets are pre‑conditions for sustained industry growth.

4. Audience Interaction & Quick Q &A (Limited)

  • The session moved quickly to the closing minutes, leaving little time for extensive audience questions.
  • A brief rapid‑fire round asked each panelist to identify one critical action for Indian/state governments:
    • Sukrit – Uniform green‑power norms across states.
    • Bimal – Accelerate “last‑mile” power‑grid connections and nurture large, pre‑planned digital‑infrastructure zones.
    • Alexander – Maintain optimism; invest in talent and local renewable‑energy supply chains.
    • Rinder – Ensure policy frameworks are optimistic and enable rapid execution.

5. Closing Remarks & Next Steps

  • Moderator summed up: the AI‑driven data‑centre boom is in its “first innings”; now is the decisive window for aligning industry, policy, and community interests.
  • Emphasised that SDIA will be launched in March/April with detailed targets, providing a transparent baseline for measurement.
  • Attendees were invited to follow the APDCA on LinkedIn for the forthcoming SDIA release.
  • A short ceremony presented mementos to the panelists, concluding the session and ushering in a short intermission before the next agenda item.

Key Takeaways

  • SDIA aims to create the first APAC‑wide voluntary baseline for data‑centre sustainability, covering energy efficiency, clean‑energy procurement, water stewardship, and circular‑economy practices.
  • Industry momentum has shifted from mere compliance to integrated, design‑stage decarbonisation with full‑scale carbon‑neutral roadmaps.
  • Google’s internal targets (100 % renewable‑energy matching, 24/7 carbon‑free energy by early 2030s, 120 % water replenishment by 2030) illustrate how large hyperscalers can set “moonshot” goals that drive sector‑wide change.
  • India’s renewable‑energy capacity is expanding rapidly (≈220 GW installed, target 500 GW by 2030), positioning the country to meet soaring AI‑driven power demand while keeping the grid green.
  • Water scarcity is a critical constraint; air‑cooled data‑centre designs may be necessary in water‑stressed regions, while water‑cooled systems remain optimal where water is abundant.
  • Policy certainty, rapid implementation of grid infrastructure, and uniform green‑power standards are the top levers identified by panelists to accelerate sustainable data‑centre growth.
  • Tax incentives (22‑year holiday) and infrastructure‑status classification in the Indian budget reflect strong governmental support, but faster execution mechanisms are still required.
  • Collaboration across the ecosystem—hyperscalers, operators, regulators, and local communities—is essential; the SDIA will serve as the platform for that dialogue.
  • The time window for investment is now: with AI demand accelerating, the next 2‑3 years represent the most critical period for aligning sustainability and capacity expansion.

Prepared by an AI‑conference summarisation assistant, 23 Feb 2026.

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