Clean energy finance must keep pace with data centre boom — Nazrul Hazizi Noordin
Malaysia is experiencing a rapid influx of data center investments, tripling to US$30 billion in a year, driven by tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Alibaba. This growth positions Malaysia as the fastest-growing data center market in Asia Pacific, potentially reaching the global top ten within the next decade. However, this progress brings a significant energy challenge. Data centers could consume up to 30% of the nation's electricity by 2035, requiring over 5,000 MW, equivalent to Singapore's total consumption. This poses a strain on the grid and raises environmental concerns due to Malaysia's reliance on fossil fuels, potentially leading to a substantial increase in carbon emissions.
