ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Thailand) or ‘STT GDC Thailand,’ the largest digital infrastructure provider in Thailand, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, or ‘B.Grimm Power,’ Thailand’s leading industrial power producer, to study, design and jointly develop low-carbon energy generation solutions for the data centre industry.
This collaborative effort aims to advance responsible energy usage and explore alternative grid-sourced energy by harnessing the combined strengths of both companies. There is also a strong focus on integrating renewable or low-carbon energy sources wherever feasible. By addressing the primary challenge of high electricity consumption, which accounts for the most substantial operating cost in data centres, this initiative has the potential to enhance Thailand’s digital infrastructure competitiveness and solidify the country’s position as a prominent data centre hub in Southeast Asia.
Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that the amount of electricity consumed by data centres around the world in 2022 reached 240-340 TWh (TeraWatt-hours). This is consistent with data from Statista, which found that the hyperscale data centre energy demand during 2020-2021 increased by 76.23 TWh and 86.58 TWh, respectively. This reflects the growing trend of electrification in digital infrastructure, largely caused by the increasing demand for Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).a
Mr. Supparat Sivapetchranat Singhara Na Ayutthaya, Chief Executive Officer at ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Thailand), remarked, “Electricity is the lifeblood of the digital era. Through our collaboration with B.Grimm Power, we aim not only to address challenges faced by the data centre industry, but also to ignite new opportunities for Thailand’s digital economy, particularly for businesses with high energy demands. Thailand’s strategic geographical advantage and forthcoming international connectivity have the potential to accelerate digital growth. This collaboration to improve the power competitiveness of Thailand’s data centre industry within the region will also facilitate the country’s readiness to adopt AI and content platforms. The successful realisation of this project has the potential to attract significant investments to the country and is a crucial component in achieving sustainability and competitiveness.”
“STT GDC Thailand is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimise energy efficiency in data centres. This involves a strong emphasis on environmental considerations, aligning seamlessly with our group’s goal of achieving carbon neutral data centre operations by 2030,” he added.
Dr. Harald Link, President of B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, said: “Our goal is to become a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, in line with our key strategy, Green Leap – Global and Green, which aims to reach 10,000 MW by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Our collaboration with STT GDC Thailand to explore energy-efficient solutions for the data centres represents a significant stride in reinforcing and supporting our sustainability goals while also supporting the economic and environmental aspirations of the country. This collaboration unites two industry leaders with a shared ambition to uplift the digital infrastructure as a sustainable digital gateway with advanced energy-efficient solutions.”
“We will work closely with STT GDC Thailand to study and explore the development of energy solutions, including the design of strategically located green-field power plants to support the growth of Thailand’s digital infrastructure and propel the country into the position of a data centre hub in the region. This promises to stimulate substantial investment and committed to increasing green and reliable energy for the nation’s future,” he added.
The collaboration between STT GDC Thailand and B.Grimm Power, two industry titans, represents a significant stride towards reshaping data centre energy efficiency in Thailand. This milestone not only reflects the shared dedication of these industry leaders to pioneer sustainable and efficient energy solutions in a high-energy-demand sector but also their potential to propel Thailand forward as a regional frontrunner in innovative digital infrastructure and sustainable energy practices.