Shaping the Future: Key Trends in India’s Data Centre Market & CapitaLand’s Sustainable Solutions

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Surajit Chatterjee, Managing Director, Data Centre, India, CapitaLand Investment

What are the key trends that are shaping the Indian data centre market?

The Indian data centre market is witnessing significant transformation driven by several key trends. Firstly, there’s a notable surge in digital transformation initiatives across various industries, necessitating robust data infrastructure to support evolving business needs. Additionally, the increasing internet penetration and adoption of cloud-based solutions fuel demand for advanced data centre services.

Moreover, regulatory compliances mandating local data storage coupled with emerging technologies like 5G, IoT, and artificial intelligence, are reshaping the landscape, creating new opportunities and challenges alike. These trends underscore the critical importance of scalable, secure, and efficient data centre solutions tailored to meet the diverse requirements of businesses in India.

As a global DC leader with extensive operational experience in markets such as Singapore, China, and Europe, CapitaLand’s Data Centre business in India is well poised to respond to these market trends effectively. Our commitment to delivering world-class, future-ready hyperscale DC facilities designed to cater to the needs of medium to large enterprises, aligns with the evolving demands of the Indian data centre market.

How does CapitaLand Data Centre (CLDC) plan to carve a niche for itself within the Indian data centre market? Can you elaborate on your offerings and key differentiators?

At CapitaLand, we have adopted a strategy emphasising on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity.

Firstly, CLDC boasts a global team of data centre specialists who excel in designing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance. This expertise ensures efficient, resilient, and secure data centre operations, guaranteeing reliability and performance for our clients. Secondly, our service portfolio encompasses managed colocation, build-to-suit solutions, and managed services, allowing us to tailor our offerings to meet specific client requirements. We prioritise customer satisfaction by delivering SLA-driven services and providing preemptive support to address evolving needs effectively.

Recognising the growing importance of sustainability in the market, CLDC constructs green data centres that adhere to energy-efficient practices. This commitment not only aligns with our environmental responsibility but also resonates with the preferences of our customers who prioritise sustainable solutions.

In addition to this, we also heavily focus on:

• Reliability and Performance: CLDC’s offerings are characterised by unmatched reliability and performance, facilitated by advanced features and a customisable approach. Our dedicated buildings with 24×7 availability of power, carrier-neutral facilities, and centralised management systems contribute to superior data centre operations, ensuring seamless performance for our clients.
• Build-to-Suit Solutions: Through our Build-to-Suit model, we cater to hyperscalers and specific enterprise needs by providing customised data centres designed, built, and maintained by us. This approach facilitates rapid deployment and offers transparent cost structures, meeting the unique requirements of our clients efficiently.
• Comprehensive Security Framework: At CLDC, data integrity is paramount. We implement a comprehensive security framework that seamlessly integrates physical safeguards such as biometric access control and 24/7 surveillance with robust digital protocols like intrusion detection systems and end-to-end encryption. This ensures the highest levels of data security and confidentiality for our clients.

By leveraging these key differentiators and maintaining a steadfast focus on opertional excellence, CapitaLand Data Centre aims to establish itself as a leading provider of innovative, reliable, and customer-centric data centre solutions in the Indian market.

What specific strategic initiatives, particularly in the area of resource allocation, are in place to run your upcoming data centres for your clients in cities like Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore?

In preparation for the launch of our data centres in cities like Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore, our approach encompasses various facets, including innovation, sustainability, and partnerships within the local ecosystem. We have implemented specific strategic initiatives, particularly focusing on resource allocation, to ensure seamless operations and exceptional service delivery for our clients.

To begin with, we have forged partnerships with key stakeholders, enabling us to tailor solutions to the unique requirements of the Indian market while leveraging our global expertise. This collaborative approach ensures that our data centres are equipped to deliver reliable and forward-looking solutions that resonate with our clients. We are leveraging AI, machine learning, and cutting-edge cooling systems with the aim of establishing data centres that are not only efficient but also future-proofed to meet the evolving needs of the market.

In addition to this, we are actively pursuing our DC projects in key locations across India, such as Navi Mumbai and Hyderabad, recognising their significance as satellite cities and IT hubs, respectively. These initiatives underscore our commitment to rapid expansion in emerging markets.

Furthermore, our upcoming projects in Chennai and Bangalore further demonstrate our dedication to pan-India expansion, allowing us to tap into diverse market opportunities and cater to a wide range of customer needs.

Overall, our goal is to establish a resilient and adaptable infrastructure that not only addresses the current demands but also anticipates the challenges and opportunities of the future. Through these efforts, CLDC aims to solidify its position as a leader in the dynamic data centre sector, providing innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients across India.

How are CLDC’s efforts setting new benchmarks for sustainable data centres?

CLDC is committed to pioneering sustainable practices in the data centre industry by deploying green and carbon-neutral initiatives. Our sustainability strategy revolves around renewable energy integration, energy-efficient design, continuous innovation, and community engagement.

We prioritise the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to power our data centres, reducing our reliance on traditional energy sources and minimising our carbon footprint. Additionally, our data centres are meticulously designed with energy efficiency in mind, leveraging advanced cooling techniques and AI-powered management software to optimise energy consumption and drive cost savings for both CLDC and our clients.

Continuous innovation is at the core of our sustainability efforts as we actively explore and implement emerging technologies to further reduce environmental impact. Through initiatives like workshops and seminars, we foster knowledge-sharing and community engagement, contributing to the growth of a sustainable data centre ecosystem in India.

Overall, CLDC’s dedication to sustainability is evident in every aspect of our operations. By setting new benchmarks for sustainable data centres, we aim to lead the industry towards a greener future while driving positive environmental and economic outcomes.