Andhra Pradesh’s IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh says the state has set a rule requiring data centres to source at least 70% of their energy from renewable sources. He presents the measure as the “first thumb rule” for new or operating data centres in the state.
Both outlets report that Lokesh addresses environmental concerns raised by communities and stakeholders about data centres’ impact. The Hindu frames his remarks as efforts to allay fears over environmental damage from data centres coming up in Andhra Pradesh, while Business Line highlights that the move also considers water-related concerns. The sources agree on the central policy requirement—70% renewable energy use—but differ slightly in emphasis, with one focusing more on broader environmental reassurance and the other on implementation concerns including water.
