Singapore aims to expand data centre capacity by one-third

Operators keen on seizing this opportunity will have to go green

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Singapore aims to expand its data centre capacity by more than onethird to satisfy rising computing needs, as more businesses digitalise and more artificial intelligence (AI) services are rolled out.

At the same time, data centre operators keen to seize this opportunity will have to go green.

At least 300MW of data centre capacity will be added in the next few years, with another 200MW allocated only for operators who use green energy options.

The potential 500-and-more MW will add to the existing 1.4 gigawatts of computing capacity in more than 70 data centres on the island, which host the digital lives of internet users here and around the world.

Announcing the details of Singapore's new Green Data Centre Roadmap launched on May 30, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said greening data centres is crucial in a digital and carbon-constrained world.

the He acknowledged that growth of data centre activity is at odds with Singapore's environmental goals due to the huge amounts of energy required to cool data centres.