In a world where the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom is leading to an unprecedented demand for compute power and consequently placing a huge strain on data centers, there is also a growing commitment to finding sustainable energy sources to fuel these power guzzlers. Mindful of this, Singapore, has launched a Green Data Center Roadmap. Developed with inputs from the industry, the Roadmap continues the work of the Digital Connectivity Blueprint launched in June 2023.
With over 1.4 GW of Data Center capacity, Singapore is home to more than 70 Cloud, enterprise, and co-location Data Centers, which host Cloud platforms, digital services, and higher-intensity workloads for AI. Singapore’s Green Data Center Roadmap aims to guide digital sustainability and chart green growth pathways for Data Centers, supporting AI and compute developments.
The Roadmap was launched today by Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation (NRF). It aims to provide at least 300 MW of additional capacity in the near term, with much more through green energy deployments. The plan has a two-fold approach involving:
- Energy Efficiency, where it aims to accelerate Data Center’s energy efficiency at hardware and software levels, by tailoring cooling solutions, improving efficiency of servers, and working with end-users to switch to energy-efficient IT equipment.
- Green Energy, where it will enable Data Centers to increase their use of green energy to expand capacity, and explore how we can deploy this at scale over time. For a start, these energy sources comprise bioenergy, vertical building integrated photovoltaics/building applied photovoltaics, fuel cells with carbon capture, and low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia.
To support the development and operation of energy-efficient DCs of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.3 or lower, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will co-develop enhanced standards and certifications with the industry. “We will refresh the BCA-IMDA Green Mark for DCs by end- 2024 to raise the standards for energy efficiency in DCs. We will also introduce standards for IT equipment energy efficiency and liquid cooling by 2025 to facilitate adoption of these technologies in Singapore,” said the IMDA in a press release.
The Government will also assist the industry in their sustainability journey through incentives such as EDB’s enhanced Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions. “We will also facilitate enterprise end-users to upgrade to energy-efficient IT equipment through the new Energy Efficiency Grant for the DC sector,” said IMDA.
DPM Heng also outlined an investment of close to SG$ 300 Million into Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy (NQS) to advance Singapore’s growing Quantum industry. The NQS is funded by the National Research Foundation, (NRF), and driven by the National Quantum Office (NQO), hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The NQS will focus on four funding initiatives anchored by four strategic thrusts – scientific excellence, engineering capabilities, talent, innovation and enterprise partnerships.
Singapore also announced the release of Model AI Governance Framework (Generative AI) which is the first comprehensive framework pulling together different strands of global conversation surrounding AI governance. The finalised framework was released today and will be mapped to international AI principles such as the G7 Hiroshima Principles for interoperability after receiving over 70 responses globally largely endorsing the framework’s multi-stakeholder and robust approach to AI governance.
DPM Heng also announced the development of the Digital Forum for Small States (DFOSS) AI Governance Playbook with the African nation of Rwanda to advance AI safety.
Economic Development Board of Singapore (EDB), co-chair for the Green Data Center Roadmap, will be speaking at Singapore Cloud & Data Center Convention on July 18, this year. For more details click the image below:
