Social media giant Facebook announced on September 6 that it can invest over A$1.4 billion to construct its first data center in Asia in Singapore.
The recent facility, positioned in Tanjong Kling (formerly referred to as Data Center Park) within the western a part of Singapore, can have an area of 170,000 sq m. and “will create a whole lot of jobs,” the corporate said in its press release, adding that it can be a part of a posh growing presence in Singapore and the broader region.
Thomas Furlong, vice chairman of infrastructure data centers at Facebook, told reporters on the launch event that the brand new project would create “hundreds of construction jobs” and that the power would require the hiring of “a whole lot of operators,” from network maintenance staff to staff logistical.
He added that on condition that this can be a long-term project, the corporate remains to be working on staffing needs.
Facebook also touted that the power can be “extremely efficient” by way of water, energy and land use. For example, liquid cooling technology might be used, which can minimize water and energy consumption and, in accordance with tests conducted, can reduce the quantity of groundwater utilized by 20 percent in a climate like Singapore’s.
Another example is the development of the facade of an 11-story constructing from a perforated, lightweight material that permits air flow, the press release said. Building the information center upwards moderately than outwards can be one other approach to protect land use, he added.
Facebook chosen Fortis Construction as its general contractor on account of their joint experience in constructing high-performance data centers, he added.
Furlong said the information center is estimated to start operations in 2022, but it can only be the primary phase and construction work is predicted to proceed after that date. “It will take some time,” he said.
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, who was present on the launch event, said the social media giant’s decision to locate its first Asian data center here’s a “significant milestone” for the country.
He said the corporate’s presence here demonstrates that Singapore is increasingly connected to the world beyond traditional modes of transport: air, land and sea. He added that this may facilitate the flow of talent, ideas and creativity into the country.
The recent facility may also strengthen the country’s role in data storage, which can enhance its other strengths in data protection, mental property, data security and data analytics, Chan said.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
