CleanMax MD Kuldeep Jain warns AI centers strain power grids

Business Jul 18, 2026

AI data centers popping up near big cities might be pushing urban power grids to their limits, said Kuldeep Jain, Managing Director of CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions.

He points out it is not water but electricity that is the real bottleneck, and suggests building these massive facilities closer to renewable energy sources instead.

In Mumbai, planned data center capacity already tops the city's total peak demand.

India aims 70% non-fossil future capacity

Large AI data centers can use as much electricity as 100,000 homes, and with more on the way in cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, experts warn power needs could jump 20 to 30 times.

India is betting big to keep up, aiming for non-fossil fuel sources to make up 70% of future power capacity.