Singapore has introduced a pioneering standard, SS 715:2025, to enhance energy efficiency in data centres, marking a significant step in sustainable IT practices. This initiative, launched on 22 August 2025, targets a 30% reduction in energy consumption by optimising IT equipment operations at higher temperatures. The standard is particularly significant as IT equipment typically accounts for 60% of a data centre’s energy use, a figure expected to rise with the increased adoption of Artificial Intelligence.
The SS 715:2025 standard encourages data centre operators to select IT equipment that meets international energy efficiency benchmarks and adopt best practices like workload consolidation and virtualisation. These measures aim to maximise IT equipment utilisation, thereby increasing compute workload without additional energy consumption. Furthermore, the standard specifies that IT equipment should safely operate at temperatures up to 35°C, aligning with Singapore’s Tropical Data Centre standard SS 697:2023, which can yield additional energy savings on cooling systems.
Data centre users can also benefit from the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Energy Efficiency Grant, which co-funds the purchase of pre-approved energy-efficient IT equipment. Aileen Chia, Deputy Chief Executive of IMDA, emphasised the importance of data centres in supporting Singapore’s digital economy, stating, “This new IT EE standard builds on the progress made following the launch of the Green Data Centre Roadmap.”
The standard, developed with industry experts and academia, is available for purchase online. Industry leaders like GovTech Singapore and Equinix have expressed support, highlighting the standard’s role in advancing sustainability and energy efficiency in the sector.
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