The Business Times
business-time-50

Singapore plays premium data centre game as Johor, Batam take on scale

With land and power at a premium, the Republic homes in on workloads with stronger reasons to be hosted on its shores

Summarise
Young Zhan Heng

Young Zhan Heng

Published Thu, Aug 27, 2026 · 06:09 PM
阅读简体中文版 (beta)
    • Fifty MW of capacity may seem modest for the needs of hyperscale AI data centres, but industry observers say the amount is significant for other types of demand.
    • Fifty MW of capacity may seem modest for the needs of hyperscale AI data centres, but industry observers say the amount is significant for other types of demand. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] Singapore is carving out a premium role in the region’s data centre boom, prioritising higher-value and resource-efficient workloads rather than competing with neighbouring Johor and Batam on capacity, analysts said.

    With land and power at a premium, the Republic is focusing on workloads that have stronger reasons to be hosted on its shores, including those driven by data sovereignty needs or latency-sensitive applications.

    But this positioning comes at a price.

    Data centresSingapore

    TRENDING NOW

    As demand for US bonds falls and yields rise, capital is typically drawn into the greenback, causing capital outflows from emerging market currencies.

    Why US$100 oil, 5% US yields affect Singdollar, ringgit differently vs other Asean currencies

    From left: Pham Nhat Quan Anh, Pham Nhat Vuong, Pham Thu Huong and Pham Nhat Minh Hoang. The couple (centre) remain senior figures in Vingroup, with their children’s presence in the ecosystem growing.

    He built the Vingroup empire. Now South-east Asia’s richest man is handing some key roles to his sons

    The Golden Violet oil tanker docked at a PT Pertamina facility in Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia. Asia’s new energy security architecture should have a support mechanism to help Asian countries build emergency oil reserves through financing and technical assistance.

    Asia needs new energy security architecture

    Previews for the October launch of Lucerne Grand will begin on Sep 18.

    CDL to launch 570-unit Jurong project Lucerne Grand with prices from S$1.5 million

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More