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The new 20MW facility will aim to support Singapore’s digital economy with advanced cooling systems, hydrogen-based energy, and full renewable electricity, while anchoring regional ambitions across Southeast Asia.
Singapore-headquartered global data centre firm DayOne has officially broken ground on its first data centre in the country.
The 20-megawatt (MW) site will span around 40,000 square metres of gross floor area. Phase one of the project is expected to be ready-for-service in 2026.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, DayOne also formalised two strategic agreements. The first is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Sembcorp Power to supply the facility with 100% renewable energy. The second is a research and development partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to support the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed Phase 2.0 (STDCT 2.0).
According to Jamie Khoo, Chief Executive Officer of DayOne Data Centre, the facility represents a long-term vision to power Southeast Asia’s digital transformation with sustainable infrastructure.
The upcoming facility will support high-density GPU systems and will be equipped with hybrid air as well as liquid cooling technologies.
It is also said to be the first data centre in Singapore that will feature on-site Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) power generation. This hydrogen-based proof-of-concept is aimed at diversifying energy sources while contributing to national sustainability goals.
DayOne is working towards achieving both LEED Platinum and BCA Green Mark Platinum (GMDC:2024) certifications for the facility.
Backed by Singapore’s public sector
The development was enabled under the Pilot Data Center Call for Application (DC-CFA) by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
The award allows DayOne to anchor its flagship site as part of the Singapore–Johor–Riau Islands (SIJORI) regional growth strategy.
At the event, Aileen Chia, Deputy Chief Executive of Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), commented: “Data centre operators like DayOne play an important role in advancing energy efficiency and green energy solutions in support of our digital economy and the sustainable growth of data centres in Singapore.”
Seah Yueh Chinn, Vice President at Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), added that this facility will strengthen Singapore’s competitiveness by enabling access to compute-intensive technologies such as AI.
Partnerships to drive green energy and innovation
The 10-year PPA signed with Sembcorp Power will supply DayOne’s data centre with electricity backed by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), either locally sourced or imported via grid-to-grid connection.
Koh Chiap Khiong, President & CEO, Gas and Related Services and CEO Singapore at Sembcorp Industries, shared that the partnership reflects their goal to support responsible growth of the digital sector using clean energy solutions.
Separately, DayOne launched a new research and development partnership with NUS to jointly explore innovative technologies that improve data centre efficiency and sustainability, including pilot testing of advanced cooling solutions for tropical climates under the STDCT 2.0.
Professor Lee Poh Seng, STDCT Program Director and Head Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering at NUS, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to develop energy-efficient and sustainable data centres in tropical climates, through technologies such as flexible-fuel generators and liquid cooling.
Contributing to Singapore’s digital future
The new facility is said to align with Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint, which aims to add at least 300MW of new data centre capacity.
It also supports the country’s National AI Strategy 2.0, focused on boosting infrastructure to support AI development and adoption across industries.
Lead image / DayOne LinkedIn
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