Aware Super has made a significant investment in Switch, a US-based 100% renewable-powered data center platform.
Last year, Switch was acquired by IFM Investors and NYSE-listed DigitalBridge and Aware Super’s investment in this venture was established in collaboration with DigitalBridge as well.
Mark Hector, the Head of Infrastructure at Aware Super, emphasized that Switch’s distinctive offering of top-tier data centers and its dedication to maintaining a carbon-neutral footprint align with Aware Super’s mission of generating robust and risk-adjusted returns for its 1.1 million members.
Switch operates 15 data centers across five campuses with a capacity of 500 megawatts. And to ensure effective representation on Switch’s board, the local superannuation giant plans to select a non-executive director who will be based in the United States.
Considering the significant energy demands of digital enterprises, there is a growing imperative for them to reduce their carbon footprints. As a result, one viable option for them is to choose renewable energy (RE) as their primary source of energy supply.
However, transitioning to renewable energy is still one of the main challenges faced by the data center industry in other regions like Southeast Asia.
In Indonesia, the data center industry has been experiencing significant growth in recent years due to the country’s expanding digital economy. However, the lack of access to renewable energy sources, cost, and lack of governmental commitment are among the key reasons for the sluggish transition to green data centers in the country.
Meanwhile, in other countries, like the Philippines, the country’s Department of Energy (DOE) has announced its intention to align the electricity requirements of data centers with investors who are establishing renewable energy (RE) facilities in the country.