Singtel has unveiled its initiative to advance artificial intelligence (AI) development in Singapore and the broader region.
This strategic move involves collaboration with both global and local partners across AI, renewable energy, sustainable technologies, and talent development. The announcement was made at the launch event for Singtel’s new data center brand, Nxera, attended by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Mr Heng Swee Keat.
Singtel is expanding its regional data center business, extending its presence beyond Singapore into markets like Indonesia and Thailand. The company is focused on building a new generation of green, sustainable, and hyperconnected AI-ready data centers in these markets.
The key components of Singtel’s initiative include the unveiling of the Nxera data center brand, featuring collaborations through strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partners such as NVIDIA, Gulf Energy, Medco Power, Sembcorp, TNB Renewables, and technology partners. These partnerships aim to enhance AI adoption, accelerate the journey towards net-zero emissions, establish a co-innovation platform for improved efficiency, and create a Regional Sustainable Data Centre Academy to train future talent.
At the event, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information, witnessed the signing of these critical MOUs.
Mr. Bill Chang, CEO of Nxera and Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit, emphasized the significance of the Nxera data center brand in expanding the footprint in the region beyond 200MW over the next three years. He highlighted the purpose-driven approach and the collaboration with ecosystem partners to grow digital infrastructure sustainably and responsibly.
Chang stated, “Digitalization shouldn’t come at the expense of our decarbonization efforts. In fact, it should accelerate our efforts. Given our aim to achieve operational net-zero emissions for our data center business by 2028, these partnerships are critical to laying the groundwork for turning digitalization into a driver for decarbonization. Of course, we are also doing our utmost to support the Singapore government’s recently announced National AI Strategy 2.0 and green ICT agenda.”
Key Initiatives:
Supporting National and Regional AI Development: Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit will collaborate with NVIDIA to support Singapore’s updated National AI Strategy 2.0, democratizing AI access for enterprises in the region.
Driving Sustainable Growth through Renewable Energy Partnerships: Nxera is working with leading energy players such as Sembcorp, Gulf Energy, Medco Power, and TNB Renewables to achieve operational net-zero emissions by 2028.
Test-Bedding Sustainable Solutions: Nxera aims to develop the most sustainable data center platform, focusing on low PUE and high water usage efficiency. A co-innovation platform with local and global partners will test liquid and immersion cooling, water-saving technologies, and a smart IoT and digital twin platform.
Creating a Regional Sustainable Data Centre Academy: Nxera is collaborating with institutes of higher learning to address the talent shortage in the industry, launching in mid-2024 with partners in Singapore and expanding to other regional markets.
Nxera is currently developing three AI data center projects, including the 58MW DC Tuas in Singapore and data centers in Indonesia and Thailand, increasing its total pipeline capacity to more than 200MW. The initiative aligns with Nxera’s commitment to providing a consistent and sustainable data center experience for customers across countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
