Global data center colocation and interconnction provider Equinix has revealed plans to expand its presence into Chennai. The company will establish its first International Business Exchange data center in the region, dubbed CN1. This strategic move aims to fortify the digital infrastructure critical to supporting enterprises and hyperscalers, including those focused on AI technologies.
Equinix has earmarked an initial investment of $65 million for CN1, which will span nearly 6 acres in Siruseri, a hub within Chennai’s dynamic tech landscape. The colocation facility is slated for operation by the fourth quarter of 2024 and will be connected to Equinix’s three existing high-performance data centers in Mumbai. This network of facilities is expected to provide a comprehensive digital infrastructure and ecosystem that will catalyze innovation and digital transformation across the country.
Manoj Paul, Managing Director of Equinix India, highlighted the country’s rising prominence as a crucial data center hub in South Asia. According to Mr. Paul, this development is propelled by the keen interest of major global players who are eager to establish and expand their operations in India, complemented by Indian enterprises that are ramping up their digital infrastructure. “Equinix has the most hyperconnected data center campus in Mumbai with the largest concentration of cloud on-ramps, telecom service providers, Over-the-top (OTT) media service providers, internet exchanges, and financial ecosystem. The addition of our Chennai data center will further extend this ecosystem to customers in Chennai,” said Mr. Paul, expressing gratitude towards the local government bodies for their support in facilitating Equinix’s expansion into the Chennai market.
Equinix’s Second Metro in India
The new Equinix CN1 colocation facility is poised to become a dynamic hub for startups, enterprises, network, and cloud service providers, fostering an environment ripe for innovative and transformative initiatives. This development is set to not only elevate Chennai’s status on the global stage but also to unlock new opportunities for international customers looking to tap into Chennai’s robust tech ecosystem.
Chennai’s attractive business ecosystem, underpinned by proactive government initiatives and vigorous infrastructure development, continues to draw significant investment in the digital infrastructure sector, according to Equinix. With Chennai as its second metro in India, Equinix now offers customers a dual-city redundancy option, enhancing resilience and ensuring uninterrupted business operations.
The Equinix CN1 facility, located on State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) land in Siruseri, about 28 kilometers from the bustling Central Business District, is strategically placed near anticipated submarine cable landing sites. This location is integral to Equinix India’s expansion plans, enabling the extension of Platform Equinix to a key metropolitan area in India.
4,950 Colocation Racks, Renewable Energy
Equinix CN1 will eventually host a total site capacity of 4,950 cabinets spread across a four-story building, with the first phase providing 850 cabinets.
This follows on the heels of Equinix’s recent launch of a new IBX data center in Mumbai, MB4, which added 350 cabinets to the company’s footprint in Mumbai. Another facility, MB3, is scheduled to open in Mumbai in Q4 2024 with an initial capacity of more than 1,375 cabinets, and more than 5,500 colocation cabinets when fully built out.
With sustainability at the forefront of its strategy, Equinix’s colocation facilities in India, including the upcoming ones in Chennai and Mumbai, are expected to be powered entirely by renewable energy sources. Equinix is on a path to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and reported achieving 96% renewable energy coverage across its global operations in 2023. This commitment extends to all facilities, whether newly constructed or recently incorporated into the company’s portfolio.
Globally, Equinix now operates 260 data centers across 71 metros in 33 countries, providing digital infrastructure for more than 10,000 of the world’s leading businesses. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, Equinix boasts 56 data centers in key metros across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore, demonstrating its critical role in global digital transformation.
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