India’s rapidly expanding data centres ector is facing a growing range of risks as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud adoption and rising digital service demand drive capacity expansion, according to Aon. Industry estimates suggest installed data centre capacity could increase more than fourfold by 2030, increasing pressure on power, water and supporting infrastructure.
Power availability is emerging as a key factor influencing data centre development and commissioning timelines. Rising AI workloads are increasing power density, prompting developers to consider behind-the-meter generation, battery storage and hybrid energy systems. While these solutions can improve resilience, they also introduce operational, maintenance and fire risks. Aon research estimates global data centre power demand could rise 165% by 2030.
AI-driven computing requirements are also increasing cooling and water needs, making water availability, climate exposure and infrastructure resilience important considerations in site selection. At the same time, interconnected control systems, vendors and digital infrastructure are increasing cyber risks, potentially leading to operational disruption and physical damage.
In Kolkata, the expanding digital economy and growing enterprise demand could support opportunities for data centre and related infrastructure investments. However, developers will need to assess power reliability, water availability, climate exposure and connectivity while planning new capacity in the market.
Aon said insurers are increasingly adopting lifecycle-based risk assessments covering design, construction, commissioning, power resilience, cyber dependencies and supply chains. Its Data Center Lifecycle Insurance Program has increased capacity from US$3.5 billion to US$5 billion.