
Equinix has launched its first AI-ready International Business Exchange (IBX) data centre, CN1, in Chennai, marking a significant expansion of its presence in India. Built on nearly six acres in Siruseri, the facility represents an initial investment of USD 69 million and opens with 800 cabinets, with a clear roadmap to scale up to 4,250 cabinets in the future.
The new CN1 data centre has been designed to support the next generation of high-performance computing. It features liquid cooling systems capable of handling compute-intensive and high-density workloads, redundant fibre paths for seamless connectivity, and engineering standards that ensure 99.999% uptime. These capabilities make it particularly well-suited for AI workloads, advanced cloud applications, and latency-sensitive digital services.
“CN1 is interconnected with Equinix’s Mumbai campus, bringing global cloud, carrier, content, and enterprise ecosystems closer to businesses in Southern India.” This interconnection enhances Chennai’s role as a digital hub, enabling enterprises across the region to access a diverse network of global partners and services.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has welcomed the launch, recognizing it as a milestone for the state’s digital economy. Officials highlighted that the presence of CN1 will strengthen Chennai’s positioning as a critical hub for AI adoption, cloud growth, and scalable infrastructure. By boosting digital capabilities, the new facility is expected to attract investments, foster innovation, and provide enterprises with resilient infrastructure for mission-critical operations.
The Chennai data centre also addresses growing enterprise demand for sustainable and scalable infrastructure. By integrating advanced cooling technologies and global interconnection standards, Equinix is positioning CN1 not only as a facility to meet today’s requirements but also as a foundation for future growth.
With the rapid rise of AI-driven applications and cloud-based business models, India’s need for robust digital infrastructure is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Equinix’s investment in CN1 aligns with this demand, offering enterprises in Southern India access to global networks, low-latency performance, and reliable operations.
As businesses increasingly rely on AI and cloud solutions, CN1’s launch marks a strategic step in strengthening India’s position within the global digital ecosystem while empowering local enterprises to scale with resilience and efficiency.




