The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA) has released a new white paper urging governments and industry to work together to enhance energy sustainability across the region’s expanding data-centre sector.
The white paper, entitled “Data Centres and Energy Sustainability: A Regional Perspective on Best Practices and Policy Frameworks”, outlines ways to balance rising digital demand with long-term energy goals.
“Balancing energy sustainability with the rising demand for digital infrastructure is one of APAC’s defining challenges,” said Jeremy Deutsch, Chair of the APDCA. “With the right policy frameworks, Asia-Pacific governments can ensure that digital transformation advances hand in hand with net-zero ambitions.”
Driven by cloud adoption, digital services, and artificial intelligence (AI), the APAC region’s demand for data-centre capacity is projected to grow nearly 20 per cent annually through 2028. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity use from data centres in Southeast Asia alone could almost double by 2030 compared with 2024.
The APDCA paper argues that such growth requires a focus on both energy efficiency and access to renewable power, without undermining economic competitiveness.
The report highlights opportunities to improve performance across the data-centre lifecycle — from site selection and design to operations and monitoring. It points to Singapore’s Green Mark for Data Centres certification as an example of effective recognition for energy-efficient facilities.
Key recommendations include clearer regional standards, improved access to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and closer collaboration between regulators and operators.
APDCA members such as Equinix, Digital Realty, AirTrunk, and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres are expected to play an active role in developing and implementing these frameworks.
“With coordinated policy and industry effort, APAC can strengthen its energy resilience while supporting digital growth,” Mr Deutsch added.