Google invests USD $5 billion in data centre expansion in Singapore

Google has completed its latest data centre and cloud region campus expansion in Singapore, bringing the company’s total investment in technical infrastructure in the nation to USD $5 billion. This development is poised to power Google’s popular digital services, such as Search, Maps, and Workspace, and is a crucial step in delivering the benefits of AI to users and customers across Singapore.

The expansion, which was revealed at the Sustainable Data Centres with Google event, attended by Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, Dr Janil Puthucheary, signifies a substantial boost to Singapore’s position as a data centre hub for the region. Singapore is among the 11 countries where Google has built and currently operates data centres that serve users worldwide. Additionally, more than 500 individuals are now employed within Google’s data centres in Singapore.

The Google Cloud region is designed to offer high-performance and low-latency services to large enterprises, startups, and public sector organisations. These customers can benefit from stringent security measures, data residency, and compliance standards, which include specific data storage requirements. The Singapore cloud region is part of the 40 regions and 121 zones that Google operates globally.

This expansion aligns with Google’s ongoing strategic initiatives in collaboration with the Singapore Government, including programmes such as AI Trailblazers, Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore, and Skills Ignition SG. These initiatives are in support of Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, reinforcing the city-state’s ambition to be a pivotal data centre hub while contributing to compute infrastructure aimed at enabling AI-driven economic growth.

According to an Economic Impact Report commissioned by Google from Access Partnership, Singaporean businesses could realise USD $147.6 billion in economic benefits by 2030 through cost savings, revenue increases, and productivity gains powered by AI-based solutions.

Sustainability continues to be a cornerstone of Google’s operational philosophy, a commitment that is evident in the construction of its advanced data centre facilities in Singapore. Recognising the challenges of resource management in tropical climates, Google’s data centres in Singapore operate with cutting-edge sustainable features to maintain efficiency. The centres are engineered to function smoothly at an average temperature of approximately 27°C, promoting both a comfortable working environment and optimal equipment performance.

Google’s data centres employ sophisticated cooling systems that repeatedly reuse recycled water, thereby reducing water intake. Continuous water management protocols ensure any irregular usage patterns are immediately flagged to staff, preventing unnecessary water waste. These measures have earned Google the 2024 Water Efficiency Award by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), which honours leading water efficiency performers in their industries.

Google also supports community-centred sustainability efforts. In one initiative, in collaboration with the SG Eco Fund, Google is supporting the development of an eco-pond in the Bukit Batok housing estate to harvest rainwater for communal uses and stormwater management. This project aims to decrease the area's reliance on potable water supplies.

Commenting on the expansion, Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, emphasised Google’s commitment to fostering digital growth while prioritising sustainable practices. “Data centres are the growth engines for digital progress, providing the foundation for digital transformation and innovation. The expansion of our data centre campus in Singapore reaffirms our commitment to helping Southeast Asian organisations capitalise on digital opportunities, while ensuring that growth is as sustainable as possible. Google is deeply committed to managing our environmental footprint, playing a key role in supporting a just climate transition, and helping to accelerate the global transition to a net-zero future,” Brandt stated.