Meta-Reliance to build 168 MW AI data centre in India

Overview: Meta’s first AI data centre footprint in India

Meta Platforms Inc. has partnered with Reliance Industries Ltd. to establish Meta’s first AI-enabled data centre capacity in India. Under the agreement, Reliance will build a 168-megawatt facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which Meta will lease, with an option to scale over time. The companies announced the arrangement in a joint statement issued on Wednesday. The project adds to a broader global wave of investment in data centres and AI infrastructure. Jamnagar is also known as the location of the world’s largest single-site oil refinery, operated by Reliance. The partners did not share financial details for the data centre build and lease beyond the capacity and structure. The announcement frames the project as part of Meta’s push to expand AI infrastructure in a major market.

What the companies announced on Wednesday

Reliance will develop the Jamnagar data centre and deliver 168 MW of capacity in the first phase. Meta will lease capacity from the site rather than build and own the asset itself. The statement said the facility will be delivered within two years and will include an option to scale. Reliance will provide end-to-end services across the data centre lifecycle, including design, construction, and operations. The services also cover utilities management, renewable power supply, network connectivity, and fully managed operational services. The companies positioned the deal as a significant expansion of their strategic partnership. They described the facility as supporting Meta’s core business and AI compute needs as part of its global infrastructure.

Why Jamnagar is central to the plan

The companies called Jamnagar a strategic location for advanced AI-enabled infrastructure. Reliance is developing one of the largest data centre campuses in the world there, according to the statement. The site is presented as having access to significant energy resources needed to power AI workloads. Reliance has also said it has begun construction of multi-gigawatt data centres in Jamnagar. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, Mukesh Ambani said more than 120 MW of capacity is expected to come online in the second half of 2026. In this context, the 168 MW Meta-leased facility is part of a larger buildout under development in the region. The companies did not disclose specific commissioning milestones beyond the “within two years” delivery timeline.

Sustainability features: renewable power and seawater cooling

The data centre will be powered by renewable energy and cooled with desalinated seawater, the statement said. Meta said it will cover the full cost of the energy and water supporting the facility. Reliance and Meta also disclosed that Meta is separately partnering with two clean energy providers in India, CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy. Those partnerships are intended to back nearly 1 GW of renewable energy, according to the statement. The companies did not specify how that renewable energy will be allocated across assets or over what period. The operational design and utility commitments were highlighted as part of the project’s sustainability positioning. Beyond these points, the partners did not offer additional technical specifications.

How this expands a longer Meta-Reliance relationship

The Jamnagar lease adds to a collaboration that already spans AI platforms and enterprise tools. In August 2025, Meta and Reliance formed a joint venture aimed at developing AI platforms and tools for enterprises in India using Meta’s Llama AI models. The partners committed an initial investment of Rs 855 crore in that venture. Reliance holds a 70% stake and Meta holds 30%, as disclosed in the earlier announcement. The joint venture was described as combining Meta’s AI technology with Reliance’s digital and infrastructure capabilities to create AI solutions for Indian businesses. The new data centre deal builds on this foundation by adding infrastructure that can support AI compute at scale. Taken together, the announcements show a push that includes both AI products and underlying compute capacity.

What the lease structure signals for Meta

Meta is entering India’s AI infrastructure landscape through a leasing model tied to a built-to-suit facility. Under the agreement, Reliance will develop and manage the site, while Meta leases capacity with the option to expand. This structure can allow Meta to scale capacity without owning and operating the entire property from day one, based on the details shared. The companies did not provide the lease tenor, pricing, or escalation terms. They also did not provide a capex estimate for Reliance’s build. What is explicit is the division of roles: Reliance builds and runs, Meta leases capacity and covers energy and water costs. The statement also describes the facility as part of Meta’s global infrastructure, not only an India-serving asset.

Market and industry context: India as an AI infrastructure hub

The companies framed the project as a milestone for India’s emergence as a hub for AI infrastructure. Reliance described the facility as India’s first built-to-suit data centre capacity for Meta. Mukesh Ambani called the partnership a “transformative moment” for India’s digital infrastructure, according to the statement. The announcement arrives as global technology firms and infrastructure players increase investment in AI compute and data centre capacity. Jamnagar’s positioning, with large-scale energy resources and Reliance’s broader campus development, is central to the narrative presented. The statement also emphasised Reliance’s goal of acting as a single-window solutions provider for hyperscale AI infrastructure in India. No projections were provided about revenue, profitability, or utilisation levels.

Key facts at a glance

Timeline and related developments

What to watch next

The immediate next milestone is execution: Reliance has said the 168 MW facility is to be delivered within two years. Any updates on construction progress, commissioning schedules, and expansion triggers will be key for tracking the project’s pace. Investors and industry watchers will also look for clarity on how the renewable power arrangements are structured and how the nearly 1 GW clean energy partnerships relate to the Jamnagar facility. Another area to monitor is how the data centre capacity supports Meta’s India market needs versus its global compute requirements, as indicated in the statement. The companies have left the scale-up option open, but have not outlined thresholds for expansion. Further details, if disclosed later, are likely to come through follow-up statements or filings rather than the initial announcement. For now, the partnership outlines a defined first phase and a clear build-and-lease model anchored in Jamnagar.