Digital Realty, STT GDC among data centre operators awarded 50 MW of new capacity in Singapore

[SINGAPORE] The Singapore government on Friday (Aug 21) awarded a total of 200 megawatts (MW) in new data centre capacity to four data centre operators in its latest tender.

The four – Digital Realty, Equinix, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) and Keppel Data Centres – bagged the capacity under the Data Centre - Call For Application 2 (DC-CFA 2) tender.

They will each be provisionally allocated 50 MW of capacity, and locate their facilities on Jurong Island.

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said in a statement: “To enable the data-centre sector to operate more sustainably, JTC is developing a low-carbon data centre park on Jurong Island to leverage potential low-carbon technology synergies within the island’s ecosystem.”

Keppel said that the data centre capacity will go towards the development of its newest AI-ready data centre, with an expected investment of more than S$1 billion.

The centre will be funded by its own private fund, the Keppel Data Centre Fund III, and funds from its co-investors, said the group in a statement.

Announced last December, the DC-CFA 2 exercise received more than 20 applications from local and global operators.

The supported data centres have committed to exceed the minimum sustainability requirements imposed in the latest rounds of the tender, said EDB and IMDA.

This means that the operators will power more than half their data centre capacity from green energy sources.

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They will also be the “best-in-class” in energy efficiency by adopting advanced technologies such as liquid cooling and using 100 per cent energy-efficient IT equipment, the joint EDB-IMDA statement added.

Bruno Lopez, president and group CEO of STT GDC, said the group remains committed to using the Republic’s land, energy and water resources “prudently” to deliver “meaningful and lasting value” for Singapore.

He noted that the effects of STT GDC data centre would extend beyond computing powers, and that the group will translate the investment into “enduring economic value for Singapore, strengthen its digital ecosystem and international connectivity, and support the continued growth and vibrancy of its digital economy”.

Keppel said it would tap its “extensive capabilities” in data-centre, power, cooling, connectivity and low-carbon solutions, as well as its existing energy and utilities on Jurong Island, to support its facility.

It has 1,900 MW of power generation capacity in its Keppel Merlimau Cogen Plant and the Keppel Sakra Cogen plant, both on Jurong Island.

Digital Realty said that, beyond computing, it intends to continue investing in local talent and deepen partnerships to focus on its long-term digital growth.

“Our selection under DC-CFA2 will enable us to continue contributing to Singapore’s ambitions for responsible AI adoption and a resilient digital future,” it added.

Yee May Leong, managing director of Equinix Singapore, said: “Together, we can accelerate the growth of Singapore’s digital economy and strengthen its position as a trusted digital and AI hub for Asean and the world.”

All four selected data centre operators have an established presence in the country.

Information from their websites indicate that Digital Realty has three data centres in Singapore currently, and Equinix has five.

STT GDC has six data centres with an IT load of more than 110 MW, and Keppel Data Centres has eight.

The first DC-CFA exercise in July 2023 awarded 80 MW of new capacity to Equinix, GDS, Microsoft and an AirTrunk-ByteDance consortium.

EDB and IMDA will review the need for another DC-CFA in 18 to 24 months.