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This week: India's data centre boom and USD 30-45 billion tech infrastructure push, renewable energy exceeding National Electricity Plan targets, India's first shipbuilding orders from Germany and France, and more must-know news.

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India’s data centre capacity is expected to grow fivefold by 2030.

India is positioning itself as a major technology hub through a massive infrastructure buildout. Data centres, AI facilities, and semiconductor plants are attracting tens of billions in investment, signalling the country’s bid to become critical infrastructure for the global digital economy.

Data centres (DC) are the backbone of today’s technology infrastructure and massive compute capacity are especially relevant in AI development and operation. According to a new Macquarie Equity Research report, India’s data centre capacity is projected to grow fivefold by 2030:

Starting from a smaller base gives India room for strong expansion. When compared to individual European markets, the trajectory is striking:

While the total capacity by this group of developed economies is still larger, India’s investments are nonetheless substantial. Cumulative capital expenditures, excluding servers, are expected to be in a range from USD 30 - 45 billion with major developments including:

Outside of compute infrastructure, there is also progress in software and semiconductor development:

The semiconductor progress is particularly striking given that ISM only launched in 2021. From zero to shipping commercial chips in under four years demonstrates execution speed that merits attention.

However, India’s technological push also provides substantial opportunities for European businesses in the technology or adjacent sectors:

India’s momentum throughout the broader technology sector remains well intact and the speed of India's technology transformation consistently surprises outside observers. For European businesses in tech and adjacent sectors, I think the window to establish partnerships and market position is narrowing. As our previous deep dives have shown, India is becoming foundational infrastructure for global technology.

Sources: Times of India, S&P Global, The Economic Times, BusinessWire

India is on track to meet its National Electricity Plan (NEP) targets for 2032, a significant achievement for India. In a new report by the energy think tank Ember, solar deployment is exceeding expectations and creating space to cap coal capacity growth.

Ember reports the development in detail and the technology-by-technology assessment shows a mixed picture:

The renewable acceleration has led Ember to recommend that India stops planning additional coal capacity for the foreseeable future. Solar alone must sustain annual growth of 32.6 GW to hit 2030, a pace that government initiatives are designed to support:

Renewable energy and clean technology represent a key pillar of Indo-European partnership. Recent collaborations highlight the synergies:

The partnership between Solex Energy, a leading Indian solar manufacturer, and ISC Konstanz in Germany will bring next-generation solar research and highly efficient panel technology to the Indian market.

Nuclear development faces headwinds. The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant, envisioned as the world's largest nuclear site with backing from France's Électricité de France (EDF), remains stalled over costs. French Ambassador Thierry Mathiou has proposed a stronger 'Make in India' approach to reduce expenses, though negotiations continue.

Despite challenges in nuclear, India's renewable trajectory remains robust. Meeting NEP targets while capping coal growth would represent a significant milestone for a developing economy, and create substantial opportunities for European clean-tech firms positioned to support the transition.

Sources: Ember, Solarquarter, The Print

China, South Korea, and Japan dominate global shipbuilding with a combined market share of 85% in 2024. European shipyards, while still in the top 10, trail far behind. Now India is securing its first orders from Europe, signalling new competition in the sector.

Two recent contracts mark India's entry into international shipbuilding:

India has set ambitious targets: top 10 globally by 2030, top 5 by 2047. The strategy includes technology partnerships, notably with South Korean leader HD Hyundai, and a pipeline of potential orders. Discussions with European shipping giants Maersk and MSC Mediterranean Shipping are reportedly underway, which could further pressure Europe's already struggling shipyards.

Sources: Maritime Insights, Maritime Executive, Business Standard

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