Green Data Centres: How STT GDC India is Driving Sustainability

Data centres are in high demand as India's digital economy continues to grow. However, this growth comes with an important responsibility: ensuring that digital infrastructure develops sustainably. Sustainability is not just a buzzword at STT GDC India but an essential for business. As a leading data centre provider in the country, STT GDC India is setting standards for green innovation. The company shows that environmental responsibility and high-performance digital infrastructure can go hand in hand.

The Sustainability Challenge in Data Centres

Data centres consume a lot of energy as they house thousands of servers and run around the clock. With AI, IoT, and digital changes leading to more data growth, the challenge is to manage power consumption, emissions, water use, and waste. This must be done while ensuring uptime and reliability.

Global benchmarks show that data centres account for about 1 to 2% of total electricity use worldwide. Without major action, this figure could climb. STT GDC India sees this as a challenge and is addressing it directly.

What Makes a Data Centre ‘Green’?

A green data centre is more than just recycling bins and energy-efficient lighting. It takes a comprehensive approach that includes:

• Undertaking Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and green tariffs for renewable energy
• Energy optimisation with low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
• Innovative cooling technologies such as direct-to-chip cooling and liquid immersion
• Water conservation using air-cooled chillers and rainwater harvesting
• Waste management systems that focus on reuse and recycling
• Responsible construction and material use
• Sustainable building certifications, such as IGBC LEED and Net Zero Energy Operations

A green data centre aims to reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.

STT GDC India’s Green Commitments and Milestones

STT GDC India has set an ambitious target to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2030. The journey is already underway, supported by strong results.

As of FY24, 47.6% of total energy consumption comes from renewable sources, which is a 132.8% increase since FY21. This includes green power sourced from solar, wind, and energy agreements in key regions. The company has cut carbon intensity by 36.7%. This reduction is due to energy-efficient operations, better grid integration, and a move away from fossil fuels.

New buildings are designed with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) below 1.5, meeting global standards for energy efficiency. These sites feature high-performance cooling, smart layouts, and sustainable construction practices. In FY 2024, STT GDC India achieved a 29% reduction in Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) from the previous fiscal year, FY 2023.

These efforts have received industry praise, including the Green DC Award and honours for Innovation in Energy Efficiency. A standout achievement is STT Bengaluru 3, India’s first net-zero energy operations data centre. It establishes a new benchmark for environmentally friendly digital infrastructure.

Innovative Technologies Driving Green Operations

STT GDC India has backed its commitment with advanced engineering. Some key innovations include:

Liquid Immersion Cooling and Direct-to-Chip Cooling: These solutions significantly cut the energy needed to cool high-performance computing loads, especially for AI and GPU-heavy deployments.

Dual-Fuel Generator Conversion: To reduce emissions and lower our carbon footprint, traditional diesel generators are being switched to cleaner dual-fuel models at several facilities.

AI for Smart Efficiency: AI-enabled automation manages energy use and cooling by adjusting consumption in real-time, which improves responsiveness and resource use.

Central Monitoring System: Continuous tracking of water sourced from various locations, including groundwater and third-party sources, helps identify inefficiencies and optimise water usage.

Air-Cooled Chillers: These systems are preferred in areas with limited water to decrease reliance on freshwater.

Every new STT GDC India data centre is designed for the future to minimise lifecycle emissions, material waste, and environmental impact, earning LEED and IGBC certifications at sites in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Noida.

The Broader Impact: Supporting India’s Green Digital Economy

STT GDC India’s green initiatives are designed to align with national priorities. By investing in renewable energy infrastructure, the company contributes to India’s shift to a low-carbon economy. Its partnerships with solar and wind energy providers add over 250 MW of green capacity to the grid. Through circular waste and water management, it helps strengthen local environmental resilience.

STT GDC India also promotes social progress while integrating sustainability into all areas of its business. It upskills rural youth in data centre operations and supports tribal farming communities through CSR initiatives like the Lakhpati Kisan initiative which benefits over 1,600 rural households. Additionally, its leadership in ESG governance, policy advocacy, and industry collaboration shapes a more responsible digital ecosystem for the country.

In the data centre sector, sustainability is now a must. And STT GDC India is leading by example. The company shows that it’s possible to build a digital future that is fast, reliable, green, and inclusive.

Green data centres also create a trust premium for customers who are under ESG scrutiny. For hyperscalers, fintech firms, and global cloud players, choosing STT GDC India means working with a partner who shares their sustainability vision.

As the company continues to grow across India, its commitment to sustainability remains strong. With every new data centre, every megawatt of renewable energy, and every drop of water saved, STT GDC India is powering a greener tomorrow, one byte at a time.