One-Third Southeast Asia Data Centres Could Run on Renewables by 2030

Southeast Asia's data centre industry is rapidly growing, with countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines expected to see significant increases in electricity demand, potentially making data centres account for up to 30% of national electricity use by 2030. A report by the think tank Ember highlights that about one-third of these data centres could be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind without battery storage, especially in countries with strong solar potential like Malaysia and Singapore. However, the region's reliance on fossil fuels remains high due to older power grids and slow progress in decarbonizing the power sector, posing environmental concerns with rising carbon emissions. To address these challenges, the report recommends scaling power purchase agreements and renewable energy certificates to attract private investment for clean energy and grid upgrades. Meanwhile, in the UK, National Grid is modernizing its transmission infrastructure with projects like the Uxbridge Moor substation, which will power more than a dozen data centres using innovative, environmentally friendly gas-insulated switchgear that eliminates the use of potent greenhouse gases and reduces the substation’s physical footprint. These developments reflect a global trend to support expanding digital infrastructure while mitigating environmental impacts through renewable energy integration and sustainable technology deployment.