EDITOR ’ S QUESTION

PAUL CHURCHILL , VICE PRESIDENT , VERTIV ASIA

ingapore is a key

Furthermore , in comparison to many of its regional peers , Singapore ' s infrastructure – including power supply , advanced telecommunications networks as well as efficient transportation and connectivity – is well-developed and dependable . In tandem with that , the country also has well-defined data protection and privacy regulations , which is a boon for consistent digital functionality .

This has significant influence over the future of the region ' s data centre market , not least because of the progress made in fields like 5G and the network Edges . With computing pushed in search of an ultra-dense , low-latency computing network , Singapore ' s infrastructural supremacy is likely to facilitate the growth of its data centre market .

Singapore ' s advantages in infrastructure , as well as its position as an enabler of emerging technologies , will also enable it to power data centres while the Edge of the network becomes more sophisticated .

This will include technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality planning and management systems , as well as the increased adoption of Lithium- Ion Uninterruptible Power Systems ( UPS ) at the Edge .

Finally , there is a significant wealth of knowledge in terms of engineering , construction and consulting knowledge that provides a blueprint for incoming facilities in the region .

These features put Singapore in good stead to remain a key regional hub for data centres . However , the data centre landscape also has a strong futureforward character . For instance , the introduction of data centre standards for tropical climates , as well as the emphasis on revamping the market to focus on sustainability , highlight that the country aims to consolidate its position by driving positive change vis-à-vis data centres .

While the policy-pivot away from the data centre moratorium will open new opportunities , developments during the ban could also play out in Singapore ' s favour . As demand rose during the stoppage period , an overflow emerged in the two nearshore locations of Johor and Batam . These locations are situated in different jurisdictions and have different routes for connectivity , making them feasible for serving Singapore . The first wave of potential demand will likely come from China-based hyperscalers , who have experienced sustained growth in recent years while having less runway and immediate data centre capacity needs . Though the Johor and Batam overflow markets are still in their infancy , a pipeline of over 800MW is currently in various stages of development . With the average data centre build size at 27.3MW , the market is expected to ramp up steadily . �

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