Google has recently announced an increase in their investment in Singapore’s infrastructure, boosting it to a staggering US$5 billion (S$6.7 billion) after the completion of their fourth data center in the city. This significant jump comes after an initial investment of US$850 million (S$1.1 billion) back in 2022 when the company’s third data center was opened in Singapore.
The announcement was made at an event held at Google’s offices in Mapletree Business City II, Pasir Panjang on June 3. Currently, over 500 individuals are employed at Google’s data centers in Singapore, which play a crucial role in powering popular digital services like the Google search engine and Google Maps.
While specific details about the new facility were not disclosed, Singapore stands as one of the 11 countries where Google operates data centers. The company’s first data center in Singapore was established in 2014, followed by a second one in 2015, both situated in Jurong West.
The continued expansion of data centers is seen as essential to support the ever-increasing demands of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems. However, in light of energy and carbon constraints, there is a growing emphasis on making data centers more sustainable.
During the event on June 3, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary highlighted the importance of sustainability within the data center sector. He mentioned that the Green Data Center Roadmap, released on May 30, aims to enhance sustainability by increasing capacity while focusing on eco-friendly practices.
The roadmap includes plans to add 300MW of data center capacity over the next few years, with a further 200MW designated for operators utilizing green energy solutions. By implementing green standards like optimizing energy efficiency and upgrading equipment, Singapore aims to reduce energy consumption and emissions from data centers.
With over 70 data centers currently operating in Singapore, accounting for a significant portion of the information and communications sector emissions and electricity consumption, the push towards sustainability is crucial. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Google’s substantial investment underscores the significance of environmentally-conscious practices in the data center industry.
