Princeton Digital Group Aims for Doubling Data Center Capacity in Asia
In a bid to cater to the escalating demand from global artificial intelligence (AI) developers, Singapore's Princeton Digital Group (PDG) plans to double its data center capacity within three years. This expansion underscores the burgeoning interest of technology firms in Asia.
Currently backed by financial heavyweights such as Warburg Pincus, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and the United Arab Emirates’ sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Co., PDG is set to increase its workforce by over 300 employees across key markets, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and India, by the end of 2025. This growth is driven by AI's acceleration, as confirmed by Rangu Salgame, PDG's chairman and chief executive officer.
PDG, which is capitalizing on the tech sector's thrust into rapidly expanding regions like India and Southeast Asia, has already developed data center capacity equating to one gigawatt of energy within the past six years. Given the skyrocketing demand for AI-centric data centers from cities like Mumbai to Singapore, PDG anticipates doubling this capacity in about half the time previously required.
Salgame emphasized the urgency brought on by AI advancements, stating, “Now with the AI speed, probably we will have one gigawatt in at least half the time, which is in three years — maybe sooner.”
The company has strategically placed data centers in several countries, including major markets like India and China. In July, PDG commenced operations for the first phase of a 150-megawatt data center in Johor, Malaysia, funded by a $280 million green loan within a $1.5 billion project. The increased global investment in data centers—close to $22 billion in the first five months of this year alone—highlights the critical role these facilities play in supporting the exponentially growing digital economy, according to a report by Linklaters.
“We are talking about 70% to 200% growth of capacity over the next few years. That means we will be building a lot more than we’d thought two years ago, and that’s across all the markets — Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and India,” Salgame added.
In conclusion, PDG’s strategic plans reflect a robust response to the AI-driven demand in Asia, positioning the company as a pivotal player in the region's burgeoning digital infrastructure landscape.