Foundation stone for India’s first Green Data Centre laid in Ghaziabad

Speaking at the event, Adityanath described CEL’s 50-year journey as a success story, saying the company has now entered the “Amrit Kaal” and is playing a key role in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India. He recalled there was a time when CEL faced uncertain days and was even put on the list for disinvestment.

“But today, CEL has become a profit-making ‘Mini Ratna’ company and is handing over dividends to the government. This change is an inspiration for an atmanirbhar (self-reliant) India,” he added.

The CM hailed CEL for its innovations in sectors like railways, defence, renewable energy, and education. CEL’s technology and creativity are making the nation stronger and it plays a key role in areas such as smart classrooms, signaling systems, renewable energy modules, and defence equipment, he added.

The CEL handed over a dividend cheque of Rs 21 crore to the Central government, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was exchanged between the PSU and Multi Infra, an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company for a 200 MW solar module project.

The CM said CEL made India’s first solar photovoltaic module in 1974 and is now setting up the country’s first green data center. On the Defence Manufacturing Corridor, he said equipment for BrahMos missiles is also being produced with the help of organisations like CEL.

Out of investment proposals worth Rs 50 lakh crore, Rs 15 lakh crore of investments have already started production after the groundbreaking ceremonies, he claimed.

PM Modi has often stressed the need to connect educational institutions with industry, and Uttar Pradesh has excellent institutes like IITs, IIMs, universities, and central laboratories to help achieve this goal, the CM said.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said CEL invented the first solar cell back in 1970, and now it is about to set up a green data centre.

He announced that the country’s first quantum unit will soon be established at Noida. In addition, a biotechnology park will be set up near Lucknow and a two- or three-day startup conclave is planned for August, he added.

CEL chairman and managing director Chetan Prakash Jain said the Green Data Centre is designed to consume less energy, offer full security and meet future requirements. Through partnership with ESDS, CEL is combining modern cloud and data centre technologies with sustainability, he said.

The centre will feature modular PODs, smart cooling, reflective roofing, rainwater harvesting, and multi-ISP support. It will have a total capacity of 30 MW, with the possibility of installing up to 200 racks per floor. ESDS’s patented technology and managed services have ensured that the center meets global standards.