INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
Sustainability crucial for Southeast Asia as region set to deliver fastest data center growth
“ Against this backdrop , it is crucial that data center providers find a way to meet this need while ensuring they are playing a part in helping countries meet their climate targets .”
The study emphasized that cooling needs represent 35 %– 40 % of total data center energy demand . Energy-efficient cooling technologies and processes – including liquid cooling – represent a significant opportunity for data center operators to reduce energy usage as well as costs .
“ It is encouraging to see that most customers in the region view sustainability as a key consideration when choosing a data center provider ,” said Aaron Binkley , Digital Realty Senior Director of Sustainability .
Southeast Asia is projected to be the fastest-growing region for data centers , according to a new study by Digital Realty and Eco-Business , with 89 % of regional experts surveyed expecting significant data usage growth in the region over the next five years .
Digital Realty , a leading global provider of carrier and cloud-neutral data center , colocation and interconnection solutions , and Asia Pacific sustainability media platform Eco-Business , published the key findings in a report titled The Future of Data Centers in the Face of Climate Change .
“ Southeast Asia has emerged as a highly sought-after region , with Singapore accounting for an estimated 60 % of the region ’ s total data center supply ,” said Mark Smith , Managing Director , Asia Pacific for Digital Realty . “ While Singapore ’ s stable , probusiness environment , low-risk geographic features and abundant connectivity options make it an attractive destination for data center players , the country needs to remain competitive in the face of rising competition . Singapore has a tremendous opportunity to fortify its regional leadership and build upon its position as a sustainable global data center hub in the post-pandemic world .”
According to the study , respondents highlighted a lack of environmental awareness ( 71 %), lack of investment ( 65 %) and lack of collaboration from stakeholders ( 61 %) as key challenges to making data centers more sustainable .
The report highlighted Southeast Asia ’ s tropical climate and policy gaps as additional impediments to the region ’ s long-term growth as a competitive and sustainable data center market .
“ Southeast Asia is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world , and its rapid development will accelerate the demand for data services ,” said Jessica Cheam , Managing Director , Eco-Business .
“ This aligns with Digital Realty ’ s position on sustainability and our commitment to bringing our emissions in line with a significantly below two-degree climate change scenario by 2030 . We believe cooling technology will be a game-changer for data centers , especially in Southeast Asia ’ s tropical climate .”
The new report also identified Indonesia and Malaysia as rapidly developing , rising stars which are expected to expand their share of the region ’ s data center pie . Both countries offer ease of access and lower cost of entry than Singapore . They also have a young , fast-growing and sizable base of digital and tech-savvy consumers , which drives a dynamic e-commerce and technology industry .
In terms of sustainable growth potential , both countries have an abundance of land mass for data center operations to expand , which gives them the physical capabilities to generate their own supply of renewable energy . •
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO 69