Digital Realty, in collaboration with Brookfield Corporation and Reliance Industries, has unveiled a landmark $11 billion investment plan to develop an AI-native data centre campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. The ambitious project, set to be completed by 2030, will span 400 acres and deliver one gigawatt of AI data capacity, positioning the region as a pivotal hub for AI infrastructure and digital transformation in India.

This joint venture, known as Digital Connexions, signifies a strategic expansion for Brookfield into technology-driven infrastructure, anchoring its participation in the rapidly evolving AI and cloud computing sectors. It complements Brookfield’s broader narrative of leveraging global infrastructure and alternative asset opportunities to drive long-term growth. While the company's current investment thesis prioritizes successful asset sales and maintaining a balanced capital structure, this Indian AI data centre initiative represents an important directional step into high-density AI computing workloads, cloud transformation, and generative AI technologies.

The investment aligns with other major moves in Visakhapatnam, notably Google’s recent announcement of a $15 billion plan to establish its first AI hub outside the United States in the same city, underscoring the strategic significance of Andhra Pradesh as a burgeoning AI ecosystem. Industry analysts observe that this cluster could accelerate India’s role in the global AI supply chain, supporting not just local cloud capacity but also international demand for AI compute power and innovation.

Brookfield’s broader strategy also includes a $100 billion global AI infrastructure program launched in partnership with NVIDIA and the Kuwait Investment Authority. This program aims to acquire AI infrastructure assets across the value chain, from renewable energy to data centres and compute resources, illustrating the firm’s comprehensive approach to capturing growth in this sector. Additionally, Brookfield’s ongoing renewable energy projects in India, such as the solar-powered park in Rajasthan, reflect a commitment to sustainable infrastructure that complements its AI ventures.

Despite the promise of such ventures, Brookfield’s entry into new and complex markets like AI infrastructure in India carries execution risks, particularly in unfamiliar regulatory and operational environments. The company’s near-term outlook remains centered on generating solid financial results while navigating these risks carefully. Its current projections anticipate a significant increase in revenue and earnings by 2028, though achieving these targets will require disciplined capital management and successful project execution.

Market perspectives on Brookfield’s stock price vary, with fair value estimates indicating potential upside. Investors are advised to weigh the long-term opportunities presented by ventures like Digital Connexions against the challenges inherent in scaling operations in emerging sectors and regions.

In summary, Brookfield’s $11 billion AI data centre investment through its joint venture reflects both the growing importance of India as a global AI hub and the company’s strategic pivot towards technology-enabled infrastructure. This move, while not yet materially altering Brookfield’s immediate financial outlook, reinforces its position at the forefront of the intersection between infrastructure asset management and the AI-driven digital economy.

📌 Reference Map:

  • [1] Simply Wall St – Paragraphs 1, 2, 5, 6, 7
  • [2] Reuters – Paragraphs 1, 3
  • [3] Business Today – Paragraph 1
  • [4] Financial Express – Paragraph 1
  • [5] AP News – Paragraph 3
  • [6] Reuters – Paragraph 4
  • [7] Globe Newswire – Paragraph 4

Source: Noah Wire Services