Limits on Singapore's Total Data Centre Capacity

Ms Elysa Chen asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information whether the Government has set any upper limit on Singapore's total data centre capacity, in megawatts, by 2030, beyond the previously announced Green Data Centre Roadmap plan to add at least 300 megawatts of additional data centre capacity in the near term.

My response will cover the question raised by Ms Elysa Chen in today's Order Paper, as well as the question Assoc Prof Jamus Lim filed for tomorrow's sitting relating to the environmental impact of data centres (DCs).

While Singapore does not have a pre-determined upper limit to DC capacity, we work within the envelope of our resource constraints and long-term environmental commitments. Therefore, we adopt a calibrated approach to growing the sector. We monitor the resource footprint of DCs using internationally recognised metrics like power and water usage effectiveness.

These metrics are used in the assessment of applicants for new DC capacity, which is primarily allocated through the competitive Call for Application mechanism. We expect applicants to be best-in-class for resource efficiency.

The upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act aims to uplift the energy efficiency and overall sustainability of DCs. We will share more details when ready.