Written reply to PQ on Modelling and balancing additional electricity and water demand arising from AI computing and data centre growth with Singapore’s energy and sustainability objectives

Question:

Mr Jackson Lam: To ask the Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) (a) whether the Government has modelled the additional electricity and water demand arising from AI computing and data centre growth over the next five to 10 years; and (b) how will such demands be balanced against Singapore’s energy security, water security, emissions objectives. 

Written Answer by Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng

1.       The Government aims to support the sustainable growth of Singapore’s data centre (DC) sector while managing its resource footprint. Projected electricity and water demand from DCs, including AI computing, is factored into our national infrastructure planning.

2.       Since the 2019-2022 moratorium on DC sector growth, Singapore has calibrated the pace of DC growth, taking into account our energy security, water security, decarbonisation and other objectives. New DC capacity is now primarily allocated through the Data Centre – Call for Application (DC-CFA) exercise. In the recently concluded second DC-CFA exercise, applicants were required to power at least 50% of their DC capacity from green energy sources.

3.       We are also improving the resource efficiency of the DC sector. The recently introduced Digital Infrastructure Bill will require existing and new DCs to meet facility-level Power Usage Effectiveness requirements. The framework also allows for water efficiency requirements to be introduced where necessary.