Singapore and Johor have been identified as a key emerging AI powerhub in the Asia Pacific region, according to the inaugural Global Data Centre Report 2025 by the Digital Infrastructure Collective (Asia). The report, which examines data centre landscapes globally, underscores the region’s robust digital connectivity, critical mass of data centre stock, and forward-looking energy strategies as pivotal factors in its rise.
The report notes that Singapore’s role as a digital connectivity hub was bolstered by the lifting of a 2019 moratorium on data centre growth, replaced by a Green Data Centre Roadmap in 2022. This roadmap permits new data centres that meet stringent sustainability and economic criteria. Meanwhile, Johor, Malaysia, has seen a dramatic increase in data centre capacity, from 10MW in 2021 to over 1,500MW by 2024, driven by initiatives like the “Green Lane Pathway” which expedites power and construction approvals.
Johor’s competitive advantages, including lower land, water, and power costs, and access to large-scale renewable energy, position it as a complementary hub to Singapore. The establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in early 2025 further solidifies this nexus as a critical node for AI development in the region.
Tim Lin, a partner at the Digital Infrastructure Collective (Asia), emphasised the importance of balancing AI and economic advancement with sustainability commitments, stating, “The real challenge, beyond rhetoric or ideology, lies in integrating and actualising both these goals – to deliver meaningful and lasting impact.”
The report’s findings highlight the strategic importance of the Singapore-Johor region in the global AI infrastructure landscape, suggesting significant future growth and investment opportunities.
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