Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association launched

Author: Jessica Pereira

The Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association (APDCA) has been launched, representing the collective interests of the data centre industry in Asia-Pacific. This first-of-its-kind trade association group in Asia-Pacific aims to identify and formulate common positions between data centre operators, suppliers, and stakeholders, empowering the industry to advocate for policies and regulations that support the sustainable growth of the data centre industry.

The founding members of the APDCA represent leading global data centre operators, including AirTrunk, Digital Realty, Equinix, Global Switch, NTT Global Data Centers, Princeton Digital Group, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, and Vantage Data Centers. According to Synergy, these companies represent 40% of the APAC market (ex-Mainland China).

APDCA and its members have stated their commitment to working with governments to co-develop policies that drive the security and resiliency of data centres, minimise environmental impact, and deliver positive economic benefits to the local communities in which they operate.

According to Structure Research, the APAC data centre colocation market supported 10,233MW of critical IT capacity in 2023, representing ~40% of the entire global market, and projected to grow at a 13.3% five-year CAGR to 19,069MW by 2028 (or the equivalent of ~1,700MW of critical IT capacity added on average per year).

Asia is at the epicentre of this growth and surging demand for managed data services. Data centre investment in a community spurs local public infrastructure upgrades and ‘job gravity’, attracting a skilled ICT workforce.

“As economies in the region accelerate demand for digital services through the adoption of 5G, generative AI, IoT, and cloud computing, a clear and aligned vision for the role of digital infrastructure and data centres has never been more important,” says Jeremy Deutsch, Interim Chairperson of the APDCA.

APDCA is a sister organisation to the European Data Centre Association, a voice in the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, including over 100 data centre operators and trade associations committed to leveraging technology and achieving ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to make Europe climate neutral by 2030. The APDCA will be governed by a Board named by the founding members. The Board will convene shortly to elect a Chairperson and set the agenda for the Association.