Singapore Opens Applications for Major Data Center Capacity Expansion December 1, 2025 Singapore has initiated a significant expansion of its digital infrastructure to solidify its position as a leading hub for technology and artificial intelligence in Asia. The launch of a second allocation round for data center capacity underscores the city-state's strategic effort to balance economic growth with ambitious sustainability targets in a power-intensive sector. The Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) jointly announced the launch of the "Data Centre – Call for Application 2" (DC-CFA2) on Monday. This initiative is the primary mechanism for allocating new data center capacity in the land- and energy-constrained nation. The authorities have made at least 200 megawatts (MW) of new capacity available in this round, a substantial increase from the 80 MW awarded to four operators in the pilot exercise concluded in July 2023. Officials indicated that even more capacity could be unlocked through the adoption of innovative green energy solutions. Applications will be holistically assessed based on three key pillars: their strategic value to Singapore's digital economy, their broader economic contributions, and a firm commitment to sustainability. Proposals must detail how they will enhance infrastructure resilience and international connectivity, thereby strengthening Singapore's role as a "trusted hub" for AI and data-intensive investments. Applicants are required to outline their planned fixed asset investments and total business expenditure, as well as propose complementary activities like R&D, product innovation, and talent development programs to drive wider digital economy growth. A core focus of DC-CFA2 is accelerating the industry's green transition. Applicants must demonstrate how they will operate a "best in class," highly efficient facility. Crucially, they are required to maximize the use of green energy, with a mandate that at least 50% of the power for the proposed data center comes from eligible pathways. These include biomethane, low-carbon ammonia or hydrogen, novel fuel cells integrated with carbon capture technology, or advanced building-integrated photovoltaics. Furthermore, successful applicants will be required to obtain the highest-tier BCA-IMDA Green Mark for Data Centres 2024 Platinum certification for their proposed facility. This controlled expansion allows Singapore to support its growing digital economy and AI ambitions while actively steering the industry toward more sustainable practices. The move is expected to attract high-quality investments that contribute not only to the data center sector but also to the broader technology ecosystem and workforce. Source: straitstimes
Singapore Expands Data Center Capacity with New 200 MW Allocation Round
