A $1 billion is planned to invest by Singapore-based Princeton Digital as they plan to build more data centers in Asia to support its operations in its global headquarters.
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SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - APRIL 7: A man jogs on the Esplanade Bridge at the Marina Bay area on the day a 'circuit breaker' takes effect on April 7, 2020 in Singapore. The Singapore government will close all schools and most workplaces and limit social interactions and movement outside homes for at least a month to stem the spike in local coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Expanding in Asia
Princeton Digital Group will invest $1 billion in building new data centers in Asia. This is an effort to support its operations in its global headquarters in Singapore, following the long-term demand for the infrastructure that gives power to Southeast Asia's digital economy.
As per the company, the new facility will be located on an Indonesian island called Batam, which is a few miles off the coast of the city-state. Bloomberg reported that this would allow Princeton's customers to expand their infrastructure as the regional investment increases.
Backed-company Warburg Pincus Chief Executive Officer Rangy Salgame stated that Singapore would continue to play a major role in the internet in Asia as its digital hub. He added, "A billion dollars is the minimum we would be looking to spend because that's the kind of demand we're seeing coming into Singapore in the next three to four years."
Renewable Energy
Last week, Princeton also announced that it had produced Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) for three data centers in Jakarta, Bandung, and Pekanbaru. This offsets the carbon footprint of its data centers and demonstrates its commitment to supporting sustainability goals for customers.
RECS is designed for customers to be recognized as the user of renewable energy sources claimed and authenticated as transparent, accountable, and internationally recognized through authentication by APX TIGRs in California.
Data Storage ASEAN reported that PLN, a state-owned electricity firm in the country, issued the certificates. Princeton also became the first corporate buyer of PLN's RECs and regularly procured certifications as part of its strategy.
In PLN's response, they highly appreciate Princeton's commitment to using clean energy to support a greener Indonesia. As per PDG Indonesia Managing Director Stephanus Tumbelaka, these certificates are a testament to the company's environmental responsibility and commitment to supporting Indonesia's sustainability goals.
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Aside from Indonesia, Princeton also announced that they are expanding outside the region as they plan to open their first data center in India called MU1. The investment cost $300 million to boat its credentials as a pan-Asian operator.
Data Quest India reported that the data center is located in Navia Mumbai, India, built on a six-acre site. This offers 48MW of capacity across two buildings and has already achieved IGBC Platinum certification.
Just like the data centers in Indonesia, MU1 will be powered up to 400% by renewable energy, becoming the country's first Open Compute Project-certified data center. But Princeton aims this be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2030.
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