Empyrion operates one data centre in Singapore and is developing facilities in South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia.
The data centre in Singapore has an external wall with green plants to minimise the loss of cool air and enhance the building’s energy efficiency, it said.
“In locations like Singapore where renewable energy is scarce, the local power grid supplies electricity generated through natural gas,” Seraya Partners said, adding that it uses on-site renewable energy for 5 to 10 per cent of electricity needs “where physically possible”.
A Singtel spokesperson said its solar energy installation at Bedok Data Centre accounts for 10 per cent of the facility’s energy needs, and the company is working towards using only electricity from reputable renewable energy sources.
To reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, Singtel said it also works to avoid cooling its systems too much.
Data centres use a significant amount of energy to keep infrastructure at an optimal temperature in Singapore’s hot and humid tropical climate.
But Singtel said some data centres end up going too far, resulting in unnecessary use of energy.
WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE
Dr Lee of NUS said the sustainability of data centres in Singapore varies depending on the specific practices and technologies adopted, but facilities here tend to perform well in terms of energy efficiency compared to global peers.
“While there may be some inertia due to a business-as-usual mindset, the industry recognises the importance of sustainability and the need to reduce its environmental impact,” he said.
Clear and measurable standards for sustainability can help to address greenwashing concerns, he added.
