The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have launched the second Data Centre – Call for Application (“DC-CFA2”) with at least 200MW of capacity to be made available, the agencies announced in a joint statement yesterday. More capacity would potentially be opened up through the adoption of new and innovative green energy pathways, the statement added. The staggered release is part of continued efforts to facilitate the sustainable growth of data centres in Singapore.
Broadly, the government favoured data centers that strengthen Singapore’s international standing as a trusted hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and data center investments, while enhancing infrastructure resilience and international connectivity. Data centers should also make significant contributions to Singapore’s economic objectives through investments in innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships; as well as accelerate the use of green energy.
Applications will be assessed holistically based on their strategic value to Singapore’s digital economy, broader economic contributions, and commitment to sustainability.
Key criteria should include how the potential investor proposes to strengthen Singapore’s value proposition as a trusted hub for technology innovation. The applicant would also have to show the fixed asset investments and total business expenditure for the data center, and propose other activities that could drive the growth of Singapore’s digital economy, such as research and development, product innovation, and talent development initiatives.
In terms of sustainability, the applicant should provide proposals on how it intends to run the most efficient data center that is best in class and is required to obtain the BCA-IMDA Green Mark for Data Centres 2024 Platinum certification for its proposed DC. Other efficiency standards include achieving a Power Usage Effectiveness1 (PUE) of 1.25 (at 100% IT load) and the use of equipment that exceeds efficiency standards as set out in the Singapore Standard on Energy Efficiency of Data Centre IT Equipment (SS 715:2025).
The applicant’s data center should be at least 50 per cent powered by eligible green energy pathways such as biomethane, low-carbon ammonia, low-carbon hydrogen, novel fuel cells with carbon capture and storage technology, or vertical building-integrated photovoltaics/building-applied photovoltaics.
The DC-CFA is the primary mechanism for data center capacity allocation. Interested data centers may contact IMDA and EDB via [email protected].
For companies that could deliver transformative and outsized strategic and economic outcomes for Singapore, they are welcome to participate in the Strategic Digital Infrastructure Scheme (SDIS) by contacting EDB via [email protected]