AdaniConneX: What Sets Adani’s Data Centre Model Apart from its Competitors?

Synopsis: AdaniConneX is positioning data centres as long-term infrastructure rather than a fast-changing technology business. Its build-to-suit, hyperscaler-led model shifts compute and obsolescence risk to global partners, integrates power and renewables upfront, and delivers stable, predictable cash flows with far lower utilisation risk than traditional colocation-led peers.

India’s data-centre boom has drawn in everyone from global hyperscalers to real-estate-led colocation players, all chasing the same surge in cloud, AI and digital demand. Yet beneath the surface, not all data-centre models are built the same. Some are technology-heavy, some are real-estate-driven, and a few are quietly rethinking where the real risks and returns actually lie. So where does Adani’s data-centre strategy really fit in this crowded landscape, and what makes it structurally different from the rest?

Adani’s Data Centre

Adani’s foray into data centres is anchored by AdaniConneX, a 50:50 joint venture between Adani Enterprises and global data-centre operator EdgeConneX. The platform has been set up with a long-term view of building large, utility-scale data-centre capacity across India, combining Adani Group’s strengths in power, land and infrastructure execution with EdgeConneX’s experience in designing and operating hyperscale facilities globally.

The joint venture is working towards developing a data-centre platform with an eventual capacity of up to one gigawatt, with a clear focus on renewable power integration and reliability.

A major validation of this strategy came with Adani Enterprises announcing a partnership with Google to develop an AI-focused data-centre campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, alongside supporting green-energy infrastructure.

Google’s proposed AI hub in the state is expected to see cumulative investments of around USD 15 billion between 2026 and 2030, creating one of India’s largest AI-ready data-centre campuses. The facility is planned to operate at gigawatt scale and will be supported by subsea cable connectivity and clean energy, aimed at handling high-intensity AI and cloud workloads.

The Visakhapatnam project is being developed in collaboration with partners including AdaniConneX and Airtel, and is expected to significantly expand India’s domestic AI compute capacity. As part of the broader development, the partners have also committed investments into transmission infrastructure, renewable-power generation and energy-storage solutions in Andhra Pradesh. These additions are intended not only to support data-centre operations but also to strengthen the state’s overall power grid capacity and resilience.

Beyond Vizag, AdaniConneX is building a geographically diversified data-centre footprint across key markets including Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. The platform places a strong emphasis on high uptime and renewable-energy sourcing. Planned capacities include 33 MW in Chennai, 50 MW in Noida, 48 MW in Hyderabad, 96 MW in Pune and 30 MW in Navi Mumbai, with projects at varying stages of execution.

Chennai and Hyderabad are currently in Phase II construction, Navi Mumbai is under active development, while in Noida, core and shell work for 40 MW has been completed and mechanical, electrical and plumbing installations are in progress.

On the operational front, AdaniConneX currently has 17 MW live in Chennai, 10 MW in Noida and 9.6 MW in Hyderabad. Pune’s first-phase 9.6 MW facility is nearing commissioning, with construction progress exceeding 97 percent for Pune-I and 93 percent for Pune-II. The platform has already secured more than 210 MW of committed capacity and has maintained uninterrupted uptime across its operational data centres in Chennai, Noida and Hyderabad.

Before understanding how AdaniConneX is different from other players in the market, we need to understand what it offers in the data centre segment. 

AdaniConneX Offerings

AdaniConneX positions itself as a full-stack digital infrastructure provider rather than a single-service data-centre operator. Its offerings are structured across four distinct segments, allowing customers to scale from basic colocation to fully customised, AI-ready infrastructure.

Build-to-Suit Data Centres

At the core of AdaniConneX’s model is its build-to-suit offering, designed for hyperscalers and large enterprises with specific infrastructure requirements. The platform leverages Adani Group’s pan-India land bank and integrated power capabilities to develop purpose-built data centres with dedicated energy infrastructure, ensuring long-term power security.

These facilities are designed with global best practices, incorporating AI-ready architecture, flexible layouts and sustainability-focused engineering. Operational performance is supported by EdgeOS, EdgeConneX’s proprietary data-centre infrastructure management platform, which enables data-driven monitoring, energy efficiency and targeted uptime levels of up to 99.999 percent.

Colocation and Dedicated Spaces

AdaniConneX also operates a comprehensive colocation business, catering to enterprises that require scalable, secure and flexible IT deployment. Customers can choose from multiple rack configurations to optimise space utilisation, with bundled power options and redundant power distribution. The colocation offering extends beyond standard racks to include dedicated cages and private suites, providing varying degrees of physical isolation and security.

Dedicated cages allow customised rack layouts with continuous monitoring, biometric access controls and CCTV surveillance, while private suites offer exclusive data halls for single customers. These private environments can be configured for high-density CPU and GPU workloads, making them suitable for AI and high-performance computing use cases, with enhanced power, cooling and 24×7 monitoring.

Connectivity and Network Ecosystem

Connectivity forms a critical pillar of the AdaniConneX platform. Its data centres are designed with multiple meet-me rooms on each floor to enable low-latency and highly resilient cross-connects between customer infrastructure and network providers. Clients can opt for copper or fibre connectivity, supported by structured cabling systems that adhere to global standards such as ANSI/TIA-942-B-2017.

The platform offers access to multiple telecom operators, internet service providers and bandwidth solutions, allowing customers to scale network capacity as required. In addition, AdaniConneX supports direct internet exchange connectivity, enabling traffic to be routed through the shortest possible paths for improved performance and reduced latency.

Managed Services and Infrastructure Support

Complementing its physical infrastructure, AdaniConneX offers a suite of managed services designed to simplify day-to-day operations for customers. This includes managed network services for continuous monitoring, configuration and capacity management, backed by a 24×7 network operations centre. On-ground technical support is available through remote and on-site assistance models, covering routine maintenance as well as emergency interventions. The platform also offers structured migration services, helping enterprises shift workloads from on-premise or third-party data centres using established methodologies. For customers seeking on-demand compute without owning hardware, AdaniConneX additionally offers bare-metal-as-a-service, providing single-tenant, high-performance compute nodes that can be rapidly deployed for demanding workloads.

How Is AdaniConneX Different From Other Players

Hyperscaler-Led Build-to-Suit Model

The most defining advantage in AdaniConneX’s strategy is its build-to-suit model for hyperscalers such as Google. Instead of owning and repeatedly upgrading servers and chips that rapidly lose value, AdaniConneX focuses on building and operating the underlying physical and energy infrastructure. The responsibility for technology refresh cycles, server obsolescence and compute investments rests with the hyperscaler. This allows AdaniConneX to convert a typically capital-heavy, tech-driven business into a long-duration infrastructure play with stable returns.

Long-term hyperscaler partnerships also significantly lower commercial risk. Capacity is largely pre-committed, reducing uncertainty around rack utilisation and eliminating the recurring challenge faced by colocation operators of finding tenants. With demand visibility locked in over multiple years, revenues are anchored to predictable, long-term contracts rather than fragmented leasing arrangements.

Lower Risk, Higher Visibility of Cash Flows

By partnering with global cloud and AI players at the design stage itself, AdaniConneX avoids the issue of stranded or underutilised capacity. The absence of short-term lease renewals and pricing volatility enhances cash flow stability, allowing the platform to scale without carrying excess inventory. This model also shields AdaniConneX from fluctuations in enterprise IT spending, which can impact traditional colocation providers during economic slowdowns.

EdgeConneX’s Global Operating Expertise

A key enabler of this model is EdgeConneX’s global experience in designing, building and managing data centres across mature and emerging markets. Its proprietary EdgeOS platform enables real-time monitoring, infrastructure control and energy optimisation from a single interface, improving transparency and operational efficiency. For AdaniConneX, this global exposure brings proven design standards, execution discipline and operating processes that align Indian facilities with international benchmarks.

EdgeConneX’s presence across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and South America also strengthens AdaniConneX’s credibility with hyperscalers that prefer partners with a consistent global operating philosophy.

High-Reliability Colocation Capabilities

While hyperscaler projects form the backbone, AdaniConneX’s colocation offers benefits from the same infrastructure-first approach. The platform has delivered uninterrupted availability since inception, supported by redundant power and network connectivity. Facilities are designed to support high-density deployments, with rack capacities scaling up to 60 kilowatts and site expansion potential exceeding 30 megawatts. Flexible layouts and advanced cooling solutions allow the infrastructure to support AI, GPU and cloud workloads as power requirements rise.

Resilient Connectivity Architecture

Connectivity is built as a core layer rather than an add-on. A broad ecosystem of telecom service providers, internet service providers and internet exchanges ensures diversity and redundancy. Multiple meet-me rooms on each floor reduce single points of failure, while structured, high-density cabling systems improve reliability and simplify troubleshooting. This design enables customers to access low-latency, cost-efficient connectivity options tailored to their specific application needs.

End-to-End Managed Services

AdaniConneX complements its physical infrastructure with a comprehensive managed-services layer. Clearly defined operating procedures, flexible service models and pay-as-you-go structures reduce deployment timelines and operational complexity for customers. Services span migration support, remote and on-site technical assistance, and ongoing network and infrastructure management. Backed by EdgeConneX’s experience in executing large, mission-critical deployments globally, the platform is equipped to handle complex and high-availability workloads across industries.

AdaniConneX is approaching data centres less like a fast-moving tech business and more like long-term infrastructure. By focusing on build-to-suit projects for hyperscalers, integrating power and renewables from day one, and leveraging EdgeConneX’s global operating experience, it has built a model with clearer demand visibility and lower risk than traditional colocation players. As India’s cloud and AI needs grow, this positions AdaniConneX as a steady, utility-like backbone for the country’s digital expansion rather than just another data-centre operator.

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