Reliance Industries is making a significant play in the artificial intelligence space with its latest project: the world’s largest AI-driven data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The company has partnered with Nvidia to build a facility of unprecedented scale, aiming to position India as a serious contender in AI development.
Jamnagar, originally known for housing the world’s largest oil refining complex, is now set to become the nucleus of India’s AI ambitions. Reliance’s new data centre is projected to have a total capacity of three gigawatts, a figure that far surpasses any other data facility globally. To put that in perspective, the largest existing data centres barely touch the one-gigawatt mark. This AI hub is designed to support the next wave of technological advancements, with Reliance investing in Nvidia’s state-of-the-art Blackwell AI processors. These cutting-edge semiconductors are critical for AI computation, enabling machine learning, generative AI, and deep-learning applications.
One of the key aspects of this development is its focus on sustainability. Reliance is leveraging its existing investments in renewable energy—solar, wind, and green hydrogen—to power the AI facility. While such an extensive infrastructure will still require substantial energy backup solutions, the company is committed to minimising its carbon footprint. Mukesh Ambani envisions this as not just a data centre but a comprehensive AI ecosystem. The Jamnagar site will include high-speed computing clusters, advanced AI research labs, and facilities dedicated to training AI models for various sectors, from healthcare to financial services. Beyond its technological significance, the Jamnagar AI hub is a strategic move for India’s digital sovereignty. By controlling its AI infrastructure domestically, India reduces dependency on foreign AI models and cloud computing services. This initiative also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for self-reliance in emerging technologies. Economically, the data centre is expected to generate thousands of jobs, both in direct operations and supporting industries. The surrounding region will likely see a boom in infrastructure development, tech startups, and AI-driven businesses, reinforcing Jamnagar’s position as a global technology hub.
Estimates place the cost of the Jamnagar AI data centre at upwards of $20 billion to $30 billion. While Reliance has substantial cash reserves, such an undertaking presents logistical and financial challenges. Procuring and maintaining AI processors, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, and managing data security at such a scale are significant hurdles. Ambani’s strategy, however, is reminiscent of Jio’s disruptive approach in the telecom sector. Just as Jio transformed mobile internet accessibility in India, the Jamnagar AI project aims to make AI computing more affordable for businesses and developers nationwide—and perhaps for overseas clients as well. This week, OpenAI, SoftBank Group Corp., and Oracle Corp. pledged to invest $100 billion to $500 billion in AI infrastructure in the US through a new entity called the Stargate Project. Ambani's bold step to undercut his fellow tech giants by offering lower AI computing costs could make India a key player in the global AI race. If Reliance can execute its vision effectively, Jamnagar might not just power India's AI future, but also attract global enterprises looking for cost-efficient AI solutions.
Jamnagar is no longer just Reliance’s oil empire—after becoming one of the most talked-about wedding event destinations à la Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, it’s set to become India’s AI capital. The fusion of massive computational power, cutting-edge research, and renewable energy positions it as a global leader in AI development. If successful, this project will redefine India’s role in the artificial intelligence landscape, ensuring that the country is not just a consumer of AI technology but a creator of it.
