Chennai 1 Data Center: Powering the Next Era of Digital Infrastructure

The rapid adoption of AI, hyperscale cloud, and high-performance computing is transforming how enterprises view digital infrastructure. For businesses today, the data center is no longer just a utility, it is a strategic enabler of growth, resilience, and innovation.

In this context, AdaniConnex’s Chennai-1 Data Center is setting a new benchmark for scale, sustainability, and mission-critical reliability, positioning itself as a cornerstone of India’s digital-first future.

Built for performance and scale

Chennai-1 has been engineered to keep pace with the intensifying demands of digital workloads. With a 33 MW scalable capacity, of which 17 MW is live in Phase 1, the facility offers the flexibility to support enterprises at every stage of growth.

From startups requiring a few racks to hyperscalers deploying multi-megawatt workloads, Chennai-1 delivers single-site scalability without the need to re-architect infrastructure.

The facility supports rack densities from 6 kW to over 50 kW, making it equally suited for traditional enterprise IT, cloud-native deployments, and AI-driven high-performance computing. For enterprises navigating the shift to AI and data-intensive workloads, this flexibility ensures that infrastructure is not a limiting factor but a competitive advantage.

Gateway to global connectivity

Location is critical in digital infrastructure, and Chennai-1 benefits from its strategic presence at SIPCOT IT Park in Chennai, a city increasingly recognized as India’s hyperscale and sustainable data center capital. The facility sits in close proximity to multiple submarine cable landing stations, directly linking India with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

As a carrier-neutral facility, Chennai-1 provides multiple fiber paths and a low-latency network design, ensuring seamless connectivity for latency-sensitive workloads.

Whether powering global cloud platforms, BFSI workloads, or real-time digital services, the facility’s connectivity ecosystem positions it as India’s natural gateway to international markets.

Reliability without compromise

At the heart of Chennai-1 is a commitment to mission-critical availability. The facility operates with a 99.999% uptime SLA and has maintained a 100% uptime record since inception. This is underpinned by dual-grid power connectivity with N+N redundancy, supported by robust UPS systems, generators, and fuel reserves.

On the network side, Chennai-1’s design exceeds Tier III and Tier IV expectations, delivering both redundancy and performance assurance. This architecture was tested during Cyclone Michaung in 2023, when the facility activated its Business Continuity Plan (BCP).

With EdgeOS, AdaniConnex’s proprietary Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platform, the team coordinated real-time monitoring, load redistribution, and cooling optimization. The result: uninterrupted operations and transparent customer communication even during a high-impact natural event.

This performance in crisis highlighted that Chennai-1 is not just resilient by design but also agile in execution, ensuring confidence for clients who entrust their most critical workloads to the facility.

Sustainability at scale

Digital transformation and sustainability can no longer be pursued in isolation. Enterprises today are under pressure to meet ambitious ESG commitments while continuing to scale. Chennai-1 has been designed to address this dual mandate.

It is Tamil Nadu’s first pre-certified IGBC Platinum-rated data center, reflecting leadership in energy efficiency, water conservation, and optimized

cooling. The facility operates with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of <1.45, placing it among the most efficient in the region. Importantly, it is powered by renewable energy sources, enabling customers to align infrastructure choices with corporate sustainability and net-zero goals.

Advanced cooling techniques, including liquid-based systems, further reduce environmental impact and ensure that high-density workloads can run sustainably. For global hyperscalers and enterprises with strict sustainability mandates, this balance between performance and environmental responsibility makes Chennai-1 a compelling choice.

Multi-layered security and compliance

Trust in digital infrastructure is built on security, and Chennai-1 reinforces it with a seven-layer physical and digital security framework. The facility integrates 24/7 surveillance, biometric and card-based access control, intrusion detection systems, and continuous perimeter monitoring.

Equally critical is compliance with global standards. Chennai-1 is certified for PCI DSS v4.0, SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, and ISO (9001, 14001, 45001) standards, alongside TIA-942B Rated 3 & 4 conformance certification. This provides customers with confidence that operations align with the highest global benchmarks for quality, security, and environmental responsibility.

Regular drills, live incident simulations, and continuous auditing ensure that Chennai-1’s protocols evolve alongside emerging cyber and physical threats.

Flexible deployment models

Chennai-1 is designed to support businesses of all sizes and sectors. Deployment options include colocation, private suites, dedicated cages, and edge nodes, enabling enterprises to choose the model that aligns with their scale, workload requirements, and compliance needs.

This flexibility ensures that whether it is a cloud-native startup, a Fortune 500 enterprise, or a global hyperscaler, Chennai-1 can serve as a growth partner. Its modular design and expansion-ready infrastructure also mean that clients can scale seamlessly as their digital footprint evolves.

Operational excellence proven in action

Infrastructure strength is best demonstrated in times of crisis, and Chennai-1 has already proven its operational excellence. During Cyclone Michaung in 2023, the facility not only ensured uninterrupted service for its customers but also extended support to affected communities. Relief kits were distributed, showcasing that responsible infrastructure extends beyond technical performance to social responsibility.

This incident reinforced Chennai-1’s dual identity: a world-class data center and a community-resilient organization committed to responsible operations.

Future-ready roadmap

Chennai-1 has been designed with long-term adaptability in mind. Built-in scalability ensures that the facility can expand capacity as digital demands surge. The integration of EdgeOS enables continuous modernization through data-driven monitoring and AI-driven insights, keeping operations aligned with global best practices.

As India accelerates toward a digital-first economy, Chennai-1 will play an important role in supporting hyperscalers, enterprises, and AI-driven workloads. By combining scale, sustainability, and resilience, it positions itself not just as a facility but as a strategic digital infrastructure asset powering India’s rise on the global technology stage.

In an era where infrastructure decisions directly shape business competitiveness, AdaniConnex Chennai-1 stands out as a future-ready, globally connected, and environmentally responsible data center. For enterprises seeking to balance performance, cost, and sustainability while preparing for the next wave of digital transformation, Chennai-1 is the answer.