Brookfield Asset Management Inc. says data centers in India represent a big opportunity for its renewables business, even as some investors worry the country lacks clear artificial intelligence-focused investment options. India’s large population will be massive consumers of global AI applications, which will require a vast build-out of data centres and clean power to keep them running, according to the New York-based investment giant.“India is a very large-scale adopter,” said Nawal Saini, managing partner in Brookfield’s energy group. “As AI use cases become more clear and widespread, we have a 1.5 billion population to serve, creating business models and the infrastructure behind them.”Global investors have pulled back from Indian stocks this year, citing a lack of foundational AI models or advanced chip manufacturers that have driven technology stocks higher in most markets.Brookfield, which runs about $1 trillion in assets, including $32 billion in India, takes a different view. The firm is the largest foreign investor in renewable energy in India, and one of the biggest commercial real estate landlords.Saini notes an AI data center that requires one gigawatt of power may need seven to nine gigawatts of installed renewable capacity to ensure a smooth supply. “There lies the opportunity for players like us,” said Saini, who also heads Brookfield’s energy business in South Asia and the Middle East.Last November, Brookfield launched a fund that aims to invest $100 billion in AI assets across every stage of the value chain, from energy and land to data centers and computing capability.In India, Brookfield has investments in renewable firms including Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd., Evren Technologies Inc., Avaada Energy Pvt and Leap Green Energy Pvt.Clean Max currently derives about 42% of its revenue from supplying green power to AI customers and data centers, recently signing agreements with Meta Platforms Inc. and Iron Mountain Inc. AI data centers require continuous, around-the-clock electricity, so developers smooth out the intermittent nature of solar and wind generation through storage devices. Brookfield expects to deploy significant capital into battery storage. Demand in India is expected to reach 336.7 gigawatt hours by 2035, or about 115 times the current installations, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.“Energy storage, complementing renewable energy by stabilizing the grid and distributing renewable power across the day is a big ask from customers,” Saini said in the interview from Mumbai, where he is based.Brookfield is also looking beyond the grid to green ammonia, a fertilizer. The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global supply chains, exposing India’s vulnerability to imported natural gas and urea. Saini said the recent revival in domestic green ammonia contracts is providing a major boost to the sector. Green ammonia would reduce India’s fertilizer import bill by replacing urea, while also positioning the country to eventually export green molecules.Brookfield’s India renewable energy portfolio includes more than 45 gigawatts of operating and planned assets.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comPublished on July 1, 2026