The aim of this first-of-many shifts to solar energy at its data centers is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In a move to fulfil its environmental sustainability strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, Singapore’s Singtel has shifted to using solar energy at its data center in Bedok.
The installation, which commenced operations in March, will generate some 2,059 MWh of clean energy per year and account for 10% of the data center’s energy needs—the equivalent of powering 462 four-room flats per month.
Mr Andrew Buay, Singtel’s Vice President of Group Sustainability, said: “Sustainability has always been a core focus of Singtel, and a cornerstone of our sustainability efforts is our aspiration to leaving the smallest environmental footprint even as our business continues to expand. This project is an important step in our strategy to make the transition to a clean energy future. We also recognize that our green initiatives are increasingly important to customers, particularly enterprises that outsource their ICT operations to us and want to reduce their own carbon footprint too.”
Buay also said that Singtel will continue to explore long-term renewable energy supply options, invest in technology to improve energy efficiency across their network infrastructure and operating systems, and work with partners in the supply chain.
Reducing carbon levels by 864 tons annually
Among Singtel’s existing renewable energy installations, their Bedok Data Centre is the largest generator of clean energy to date.
The 1.65 MWp solar energy installation on the data centre’s wide rooftop consists of 4,292 solar panels across an area of approximately 8,205 square metres, or the size of two football fields. This will help reduce carbon levels by 864 tons per year, which is the equivalent of planting 43,200 trees for the duration of the 13-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA), the first PPA Singtel has signed for Singapore. It will contribute to Singtel’s current Science Based Target of 42% Scope 1 and 2 absolute carbon reductions across its Singapore and Australia operations by 2030.
All of Singtel’s data centres, including Bedok Data Centre, are green data centres certified to the SS 564 Green Data Centre Standard. SS 564 is a Singapore benchmark developed by the Green DC Standards Working Group under the industry-led Information Technology Standards Committee, and It defines processes to improve the energy efficiency and enhance the competitiveness of data centers.
Besides exploring the use of direct renewable energy for its infrastructure or larger scale projects in Singapore and Australia, Singtel has also been investing in energy efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption in its operations. This includes undertaking cyclical replacement of chillers for infrastructure like data centers.
