Hyderabad-based digital infrastructure provider CtrlS Datacenters plans to operationalise a 50-megawatt solar power plant within the next 12 to 15 months, as part of its broader goal to transition entirely to solar energy, Vipin Jain, president, datacentre operations at the company told FE.
The company aims to power its data centers with 100% renewable energy. “We have 50 megawatts of solar plant up and running, and in another 12 to 15 months, we are trying to get another 50 megawatts solar power plant operational. This is how we plan to go 100% solar,” Jain said.
Data centres are known for their high energy consumption, which often raises concerns about their environmental impact. Traditionally, a large portion of the energy powering data centres comes from coal-based power plants.
Data centres are known for their high energy consumption, raising concerns about their environmental impact, as they have traditionally relied heavily on coal-based power plants. “To deal with this, CtrlS has taken a very different approach. We are the only data centre company in India which has invested in its own solar power plant,” Jain said. “By going with this particular solar power, we are negating even the effect of any power which is coming from coal-based or other conventional plants,” he added.
$300-million fundraising plan
CtrlS Datacentres is also planning to raise $300 million this financial year to support its expansion and green initiatives.
The company has outlined a strategic investment plan for these funds, which will be used to procure real estate, build data center infrastructure, and expand its renewable energy capabilities. The allocation will be spread across three key areas: around 10-15% for land acquisition, approximately 60% for data center infrastructure—including buildings, electrical, and mechanical setups—and about 15-20% for renewable energy projects like the solar power plant, Jain said.
Rising demand from hyperscalers
CtrlS Datacentres is experiencing a surge in demand, especially from hyperscalers—large-scale cloud providers and companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
“The biggest demand in my view is coming from hyperscale customers who are trying to set up artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud infrastructure. They are continuing to be the highest demand guzzlers in the marketplace,” Jain said. Additionally, financial institutions are contributing to the demand, as they often lead in technology adoption.
To meet this growing demand, CtrlS Datacenters plans to expand its workforce by 300 employees this year, bringing its total headcount to around 1,300. “We are increasing our employees and going to new colleges to bring fresh talent on board. This is crucial as we scale up to meet the growing demand,” Jain said.
In addition to its green energy and hiring plans, CtrlS Datacenters is focused on maintaining a technological edge. The company is exploring advanced cooling technologies like liquid cooling to meet the evolving needs of its clients, working closely with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners to develop cutting-edge solutions.
From: financialexpress
Financial News
