Data Centre

Data centres are large-scale facilities that house computing infrastructure, storage systems, and networking equipment, essential for powering digital services, cloud computing, and increasingly, artificial intelligence. Their significance is amplified by the current AI boom, which is driving substantial investment, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, with US$11.6 billion poured into the sector in 2025. However, this rapid expansion presents significant challenges. In Malaysia, for instance, a burgeoning data centre industry, projected to grow from 54 to 81 facilities by 2035, is clashing with national clean energy goals, as the sector's high energy consumption relies heavily on fossil fuels. While some regions like Hong Kong are experiencing leasing growth supported by hyperscale cloud providers, they face technical limitations in meeting AI-related demand. The current relevance of data centres lies in their critical role in the digital economy, juxtaposed with the urgent need to reconcile their energy demands with global sustainability efforts.