Microsoft Invests Rs 1,000 Crore in Hinjewadi, Boosts Data Centre Presence in India
Microsoft has invested about Rs 1,000 crore to acquire two land parcels in Hinjewadi, Pune, to set up data centres, driving demand for 1 crore square feet of real estate space.
MicrosoftData CentresHinjewadiPuneReal EstateReal Estate PuneSep 16, 2024
The company acquired 16.4 acres of land in Hinjewadi in August, followed by another 16 acres last week. The land parcels were purchased from Ashoka Buildcon's subsidiary, Viva Highways, and Sanjiv Arora-owned Indo Global Infotech City, respectively.
This is Microsoft's third land deal in Pune, following its acquisition of a 25-acre plot in Pimpri Chinchwad in 2022 and 48 acres in Hyderabad earlier this year. The company operates data centres in Chinchwad and Hyderabad, and is expected to employ 289 full-time staffers and contractors across all its operational facilities by the end of 2026.
Microsoft's data centre operations include campus management, people management, learning and development, IT operations, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, security contractors, building maintenance, and critical environments. The company operates over 300 data centres in more than 34 countries.
The data centre industry in India is expected to witness remarkable growth, with projections of adding 791 MW capacity by 2026, according to a report by global real estate services firm JLL. This expansion is expected to drive demand for 1 crore square feet of real estate space, attracting investments worth nearly Rs 48,000 crore ($5.7 billion).
The surge in demand for data centres is primarily fuelled by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The demand for data centres is expected to be in the range of 650-800 MW during 2024-26, according to the report.
The exponential growth in computing power and the resulting new applications are expected to drive strong demand for data centres over the medium term. Cloud service providers, who essentially offer IT infrastructure systems primarily for data storage and computing power accessible through the internet, have realigned their requirements to factor in AI-led demand, industry players said.
Some of the major data centre firms with operations in Pune include STTelemedia and AdaniConnex. STTelemedia has a centre campus in Dighi since 2009, with a total power capacity of 40MW of IT load. AdaniConnex has a data centre in Pune with a capacity of 70 MW IT load.
Information
Microsoft is a global technology company that operates in over 190 countries. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft is a leading technology company that aims to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. The company's mission is to create a more productive, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has Microsoft invested in Hinjewadi?
Microsoft has invested about Rs 1,000 crore to acquire two land parcels in Hinjewadi.
What is the purpose of Microsoft's investment in Hinjewadi?
The investment is aimed at setting up data centres on the acquired land.
How many data centres does Microsoft operate globally?
Microsoft operates over 300 data centres in more than 34 countries.
What is the expected demand for data centres in India by 2026?
The demand for data centres is expected to be in the range of 650-800 MW during 2024-26.
What is driving the growth in demand for data centres in India?
The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the growth in demand for data centres in India.
Related News Articles
Mumbai Real Estate Developer and CEO Embroiled in ₹13.65 Crore Fraud Case
A Mumbai-based real estate developer and CEO have been booked for allegedly forging documents and duping a partner of ₹13.65 crore in a Bhandup land deal.
Mumbai Property Registration Revenue Surges 52% YoY to Rs 1,081 Crore This Diwali
According to data from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR), Maharashtra, property registrations in Mumbai witnessed a remarkable 22% year-over-year increase, with 11,861 homes registered in October 2024, compared to 9,736 in November 2023.
AI Bubble Deflating: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Stresses Importance of Real Engineering Work
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu discusses the potential deflation of the AI bubble and emphasizes the enduring importance of real engineering work in the tech industry.
ED Seizes ₹19.61 Crore from Karrm Developers Linked to Vivek Oberoi in Real Estate Scandal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai has taken action against Karrm Developers, a real estate firm associated with actor Vivek Oberoi, by seizing assets worth ₹19.61 crore. The action is part of an ongoing investigation into financial misconduct in the affordable housing sector.
Mumbai Sees Record-Breaking Property Registration in March 2025
Mumbai witnessed a surge in property registration in March 2025, driven by the impending hike in reckoner rates set to take effect from April 2025. This surge highlights the robust demand in the city's real estate market.
Private Equity Investments Fuel 133% Surge in Real Estate Deal Volumes in Q1 2025
Real estate deal volumes soared by 133% in the first quarter of 2025, driven predominantly by private equity (PE) investments, which accounted for 88% of the total transactions.