Meta has entered into a significant partnership with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to establish a 168-megawatt AI data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This marks Meta's first AI data centre deal in India, reflecting the increasing interest of global technology firms in the country's burgeoning AI infrastructure ecosystem.
Partnership Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Meta will lease capacity at RIL's upcoming AI-enabled data centre, which is expected to become operational within two years. Reliance will handle the design, construction, connectivity, and daily operations of the facility, while Meta will cover the energy and water costs for its workloads. The facility will run on renewable energy and utilize desalinated seawater for cooling, addressing the substantial power and water demands associated with AI computing.
Strategic Importance
This partnership deepens the relationship between Meta and Reliance, which began with Meta's $5.7 billion investment in Jio Platforms in 2020. The collaboration underscores India's growing attractiveness as a destination for AI infrastructure investments, supported by government incentives. According to government data, India's installed data centre capacity has expanded from approximately 375 megawatts in 2020 to about 1.5 gigawatts in 2025.
Implications for AI Infrastructure
The deal comes at a time when technology companies are racing to secure data centre capacity for AI training and inference workloads. The ability to expand the site over time to support Meta's growing global AI infrastructure needs positions India as a key player in the AI landscape.
| Year | Installed Data Centre Capacity (MW) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 375 |
| 2025 | 1500 |
Future Prospects
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Meta and Reliance are likely to become more common. For technology procurement leaders and enterprise software buyers, this development signals the importance of considering India as a strategic location for AI infrastructure investments. The focus on renewable energy and efficient resource management also highlights the growing emphasis on sustainable practices in technology infrastructure.
This collaboration not only strengthens Meta's AI capabilities but also positions Reliance as a significant player in the global AI infrastructure market.
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