The digital economy is rapidly becoming one of the defining pillars of contemporary development. From cloud computing and e-commerce to artificial intelligence (AI) and digital governance, data-driven technologies now shape how societies function, businesses operate, and citizens engage with services. As digital transformation accelerates, the physical infrastructure that supports this ecosystem is expanding at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges.

At the centre of this transformation are data centres—the facilities that store, process, and transmit the enormous volumes of information generated every day. While largely invisible to the public, they have become indispensable to modern life. The growing adoption of AI, in particular, is driving demand for larger and more powerful data centres capable of handling increasingly complex computing requirements.

Yet, the rapid expansion of these facilities raises important sustainability concerns. Data centres require vast amounts of electricity to operate continuously and significant quantities of water to maintain optimal operating temperatures. As their scale increases, so do questions related to energy security, greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and environmental impacts. For developing economies such as India, where digital growth coincides with rising energy demand and resource constraints, these challenges warrant careful consideration.

The cover story in this issue examines the evolving landscape of data centres and their implications for power systems, natural resources, and the environment. It explores how the sector’s growth could reshape electricity consumption patterns, necessitate investments in generation, transmission, and energy storage infrastructure, and intensify efforts to secure reliable and sustainable sources of power. The article also draws attention to the often-overlooked issue of water consumption and highlights the importance of developing more efficient cooling technologies and resource-conscious operational practices.

As nations embrace the benefits of digitalization, sustainability must remain a central consideration in planning future infrastructure. Technological progress and environmental responsibility need not be opposing goals; rather, they must advance together. The challenge before policymakers, industry leaders, utilities, and consumers is to ensure that the digital infrastructure of tomorrow is not only efficient and resilient but also values its ecological footprint.

We hope this issue encourages an extensive dialogue on how the foundations of the digital age can be strengthened while remaining aligned with the principles of sustainability, resource efficiency, and long-term environmental stewardship.