• Wood Mackenzie expects AI-dedicated capacity to rise from 275MW in 2025 to 6,546MW by 2030
  • Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu hold about 65% of installed IT load, but growth is expected to spread to other states

The fact

Wood Mackenzie, an energy research and consultancy group, forecasts that India's operational data-centre capacity will rise from 2.2GW in 2025 to 12GW by 2030. It expects capacity dedicated to AI workloads to increase from 275MW to 6,546MW over the same period.

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu currently account for about 65% of installed IT load. Wood Mackenzie expects further development in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka as hyperscalers and domestic operators expand. It forecasts data-centre electricity demand at 191TWh by 2040, equivalent to about 7% of national electricity demand, and identifies reliable power and water access as major constraints on development.

The assessment

Wood Mackenzie's 12GW projection measures capacity that is actually operating by 2030. Delivery is therefore the main issue. Developers will need more than land and financing: each site must have a firm grid connection, dependable power, workable cooling and water plans, and approvals that match the construction schedule. Projects that secure only some of these inputs may remain in the pipeline without adding to operational capacity.

Growth outside Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will depend on how well individual states coordinate utilities, permits and site infrastructure. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka may attract investment, but their contribution to the forecast will be determined by commissioned megawatts rather than announced campuses. The practical question is which states can turn planned projects into operating facilities by 2030, and how quickly.

What to watch

Watch annual commissioned capacity by state, not only project announcements. Grid-connection awards, power-supply agreements and water or cooling plans in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka will show whether new hubs are moving beyond planning. Progress towards 6,546MW of AI-dedicated capacity will test Wood Mackenzie's forecast.