Data centre operators seek greater clarity on green roadmap amid growing digital demands

SINGAPORE: Data centre operators that are looking to go greener want more clarity on a roadmap to help them reduce energy consumption.

The green data centre roadmap, which the Infocomm Media Development Authority aims to launch later this month to help data centres become more sustainable, takes into account feedback from the industry.

This comes as new technologies are driving the demand for more powerful and energy-intensive computing. 

TRANSFORMING DATA CENTRES

The carbon footprint of data centres is significant, as they consume a lot of energy to power cooling systems for equipment to operate within a certain temperature range. This could translate into more greenhouse gas emissions.

Globally, data centres account for about 1 per cent to up to 5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to different reports.

Singapore is among various countries working to transform data centres. 

The nation hosts more than 70 of these facilities, and its emphasis on sustainable growth and low carbon emissions makes it selective about building new ones.

As part of the Digital Connectivity Blueprint released last June, one of the priorities to enhance the country's digital infrastructure is to pioneer a roadmap for the growth of green data centres.

Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary said industry partners have reacted positively to the idea of a green roadmap.

“They understand that we have to move in this direction, that we need more green energy and we need more of that green energy to go towards data centres,” he added. 

“And if we can do that, then we can grow the data centre industry here in Singapore and that will support all of their businesses.”

PUSHING THE SUSTAINABILITY ENVELOPE

Data centres were responsible for around 7 per cent of Singapore’s total electricity consumption in 2020, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Experts said the path to a more sustainable future requires better public awareness.

Some data centres such as Digital Realty already have the ability to cut down carbon emissions, but sourcing for green energy is another challenge. 

Mr Jon Curry, vice president of Asia Pacific operations at Digital Realty, called for clarity on the green data centre roadmap due to Singapore’s limited renewable capabilities.

“Bringing green energy in from outside of Singapore and having certainty over those green pathways will enable us to understand the Singapore government's intentions, and for Digital Realty to make the next step in any future investment,” he added.

Another industry player believes having the necessary standards to clearly gauge energy efficiency is important, as the true impact of these facilities is hard to measure. 

“So if we can shine a light on how much energy is being consumed at the chip level, and trace that all the way back through to the top of the channel, which is the data centre, we will have a transparent and open way to gauge energy efficiency,” said Mr Tim Rosenfield, co-CEO of Sustainable Metal Cloud and Firmus - two firms leading the transformation in artificial intelligence infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions.

“We think it is a very important point to drive down the cost of AI adoption.”