9.3 GW of India’s AI data centre power demand yet to enter grid process

The Union power ministry has clarified that about 9.3 GW of the projected 26.3 GW additional electricity load from AI data centres by 2031-32 is yet to enter the formal grid-connection process. As of May 14, 2026, formal connectivity applications for roughly 17 GW have been filed with State Transmission Utilities, leaving 35 per cent of the projection pending. The ministry’s email reply to ETEnergyworld followed a Rajya Sabha statement by Minister of State Shripad Naik on July 27, which had nearly doubled an earlier 13.56 GW estimate.

Naik said transmission infrastructure is being developed in phases as demand and generation capacity grow. The National Electricity Plan envisages investment of about Rs 9,16,142 crore in the transmission system from 2022-32. Currently, 154 inter-state and several intra-state transmission projects are under construction across the country, alongside 30,387 ckm of lines and 1,18,194 MVA of transformation capacity.

Data centre capacity in India has risen from 375 MW in 2020 to about 1,575 MW, concentrated in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Jamnagar. The sector is now expanding into new states such as Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.