New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) Artificial Intelligence data centres proposed as part of a “Building and Construction Project” with a built-up area exceeding 20,000 sq m require an Environmental Clearance (EC) under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written reply, said as per information provided by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the ‘Resilience, Innovation & Efficiency’ Working Group of the India AI Impact Summit has been set up to examine energy efficiency, water management, and environmental resilience in digital and AI infrastructure.
He said AI Data Centres proposed as part of a “Township and Area Development Project” covering an area of over 50 hectares and/or with built-up area of less than 1,50,000 sq m also require a green nod.
He said during the appraisal of such building projects for grant of EC, various aspects such as availability of freshwater, particularly in water-stressed regions, water balance report, generation of greywater, recycling and reuse of greywater are also considered and appropriate environmental safeguards are prescribed.
Kirti Vardhan Singh said the use and discharge of water and greywater during the construction and operation of AI Data Centres is regulated under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
He said compliance with the provisions of these Acts, including the prescribed standards for water use and wastewater discharge, is monitored by the concerned State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC), as applicable.
The MoS said groundwater extraction for infrastructure/commercial projects is regulated in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Kirti Vardhan Singh said the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has issued the District Cooling Guidelines, 2023, which recommend using treated water as cooling tower make-up water, wherever feasible, to reduce dependence on freshwater resources and promote sustainable water management.
He said the guidelines also emphasise adopting energy-efficient cooling technologies, optimising cooling system performance, utilising alternative water sources, and implementing water conservation measures.
These measures are particularly relevant for large cooling-intensive facilities, including data centres, and support enhanced energy efficiency, reduced water consumption, and sustainable operation of cooling infrastructure, he said.
--IANS
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