Lumina Chennai 1
Status: Under Construction / Groundbreaking | Location: Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Project Overview
The Lumina Chennai 1 campus is a massive 16-acre hyperscale development situated in the heart of the Ambattur industrial corridor. Launched by Blackstone through its dedicated data center platform, Lumina CloudInfra, this project represents a critical component of Blackstone’s $1.2 billion (₹10,000 crore) investment strategy in India’s digital infrastructure. Chennai has emerged as the "Subsea Gateway of South India," and this facility is strategically positioned to capitalize on the city's unique status as a landing point for major international cables like MIST and IAX.
Architecturally, the campus is designed to support the intense computational requirements of Generative AI and high-density cloud computing. As of 2026, the facility is being built with a "Design-Build-Deliver" (DBD) model in partnership with the Beary Group, ensuring rapid deployment without compromising on the structural integrity required for heavy GPU-based server racks. The campus is engineered to handle massive data throughput with low-latency pathways directly to the Chennai city center and the major financial hubs of the region.
A standout feature of the Lumina Chennai project is its focus on environmental stewardship. In alignment with Tamil Nadu’s proactive renewable energy policies, the campus aims for a high mix of green power. The cooling architecture utilizes advanced closed-loop chilled water systems and is transition-ready for Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling, catering to the next generation of AI chips. This project not only scales Chennai's total IT capacity but also solidifies the city's position as the secondary data hub in India, following Mumbai. By providing carrier-neutral access and massive scalability, Lumina Chennai 1 serves as the primary regional anchor for global cloud service providers (CSPs) and domestic enterprises.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Lumina Chennai 1 |
| Location | Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Status | Under Construction / Groundbreaking |
| Commissioning | 2026 (Phase 1 Expected) |
| Total IT Load | 216 MW |
| Total Capacity | ~280 MW (Gross Power Capacity) |
| Tier Level | Tier III+ (Uptime Certified Design) |
| Project Type | Hyperscale Data Center Campus |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Chennai |
| Population | ~7.09 million (2021) |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~11 million (Chennai Metropolitan Area) |
| City GDP | ~$78.6 Billion USD (Estimated for Chennai, making it a key economic center) |
| Per Capita Income | High (Relative to national average) |
| City Tier | Tier 1 (Major metro and economic hub) |
| Key Strengths | Major subsea cable landing station hub for South Asia, strong IT/ITES presence, established industrial and manufacturing base, skilled workforce. |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Lumina CloudInfra |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Blackstone Group |
| Construction Contractor | Beary Group / L&T |
| MEP Engineering | Sterling & Wilson / In-house |
| Network Connectivity | Carrier Neutral (Airtel, Tata, Jio, PGCIL) |
| Power Infrastructure | TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corp) |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | Dedicated on-site 230kV Substation |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N Configuration |
| Cooling System | Air-cooled Chillers + Liquid Cooling Provision |
| Connectivity | 3 Diverse Fiber Points of Entry (PoE) |
| PUE Target | < 1.35 |
| Energy Mix | ~40-60% Renewable (Solar/Wind PPAs) |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | Q1 2024 |
| Construction Start | Late 2024 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | H2 2026 |
| Full Buildout | H2 2026 |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | ₹10,000 Crore (Part of pan-India fund) |
| Funding | Private Equity (Blackstone) |