Board Interview Series (2): An Interview with Carly Wishart and Jonathan King

In the second series of interviews with APDCA Board members, we speak with Carly Wishart, Managing Director, Corporate and International, AirTrunk, and Jonathan King, Group Chief Strategy and Investment Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC).

Carly and Jonathan explore the evolving landscape of data centres in the AI era, with a particular focus on making sure investment in digital infrastructure benefits local communities and is sustainable for the long term.

Stay tuned for further interviews where APDCA Board members will share insights into the key topics in the APAC data centre sector.

How is the demand for digital transformation and AI affecting the demand for data centres in APAC?

Carly: Asia Pacific & Japan is one of the fastest-growing regions globally, fuelled by strong macroeconomic trends like population growth and rising GDP. Innovation and digitalisation are accelerating that momentum. That’s exciting, however it also means we need the right infrastructure in place, at the right time...to not just keep up, but to get ahead.

AI is supercharging this shift, making hyperscale data centres the backbone of APAC’s digital economy. The opportunity is clear: markets that offer reliable, affordable, and sustainable infrastructure will ride the wave of AI-led investment.

Hyperscale campuses are rising to meet the moment. They’re built for efficiency, scale, and sustainability—designed to handle the demands of AI while supporting the energy transition.

I often think of data centres like modern roads. Roads move people and goods; data centres move ideas, services, and livelihoods. And the pace is astonishing. Asia’s physical highways took decades to build. Today’s digital infrastructure—networks, cloud platforms, hyperscale data centres—is coming together in just 10 to 15 years, driven by digital-first economies and relentless digital demand.

At AirTrunk, we see this unfolding every day. Demand for hyperscale facilities is surging—from AI, cloud, enterprise, and beyond. It’s a huge opportunity, and a huge responsibility. We’re building infrastructure that’s fast, future-ready, and sustainable.

Jonathan: Digital transformation and AI adoption are accelerating demand for data centres across APAC. While data centres currently consume ~1.5% of global electricity, this figure is expected to rise—managed through ongoing innovation and efficiency gains. AI workloads require high computational power, prompting investment in AI-optimised infrastructure. Governments are backing sovereign, low-latency data centres to meet data sovereignty and digital economy goals, fuelling growth in markets like Japan, India, Malaysia, Australia, and Indonesia.

As of 2024, APAC hosts over 1,800 data centres with 12.2 GW of live capacity, projected to double by 2028. Despite strong momentum, APAC faces constraints in renewable energy availability, infrastructure, and talent — which create an AI-ready data centre capacity gap that is expected to widen. However, sustainability remains central, with operators adopting energy-efficient designs and renewable sources to mitigate rising energy demands.

Capital flows remain robust, with data centres increasingly viewed as long-term strategic assets. This dynamic ensures APAC is poised to overtake other regions in capacity before 2030, reinforcing its role as a global hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

How well understood is the impact of data centres on the environment? Are there opportunities to improve understanding among policymakers and the public?

Carly: Most people use data every day - whether that’s through streaming, messaging or working online; however, the infrastructure behind it, like data centres, often goes unnoticed. These facilities quietly support our digital lives and play a key role in keeping economies connected and services running.

I think the understanding and the appreciation of the role data centres play in society is still in its early stages.

When it comes to their environmental impact, there’s still a lot of misunderstanding. It’s easy to assume all data centres operate the same way, but modern hyperscale data centres are designed to be much more efficient than older, on-premise setups. One study found they use up to 67% less energy, which is a material improvement in efficiency.

They’re also helping support the shift to cleaner energy. Many operators are now major buyers of renewables, which helps bring more clean power into the grid. At AirTrunk, for example, 74% of our electricity use last year was matched with renewables, and we’re on track to achieve 100% by 2030.

Water use is another area we’re actively addressing - especially in regions where it’s scarce. We’re focused on reducing our use of drinking water, finding alternative sources, like recycled water, and improving how efficiently we use it. In FY24, 53% of our portfolio was supplied with recycled water supply.

We also believe in being transparent. We track and report metrics like energy and water efficiency so people can see where we’re making progress—and where there’s more to do.

So yes, there’s room to improve public and policymaker understanding. But there’s also a real opportunity to show how data centres are evolving—by operating more efficiently, investing in renewables, and being open about their impact.

Jonathan: The environmental impact of data centres is often oversimplified, portrayed as energy-intensive without context. In reality, they are foundational to the digital economy—powering AI, cloud, and digital services—while navigating complex sustainability challenges. Leading operators have made significant strides in energy efficiency and sustainable design, pushing the limits of thermodynamic and power management. AI compute has intensified pressure on power systems, raising the stakes for decarbonisation and grid modernisation.

While the debate has centred on data centres, it’s more productive to view digital infrastructure as a catalyst for low-carbon energy transition. This perspective is gaining traction but requires broader awareness and alignment. Transparent reporting on energy and water usage is vital, but real progress depends on deeper collaboration across regulators, utilities, and tech providers.

Establishing strong public-private platforms will be key to co-creating actionable solutions and aligning industry and government efforts with a shared sense of purpose and resolve. Expanding educational initiatives and communicating the role of digital infrastructure in enabling low-carbon or renewable energy and modernising electricity grids can shift public perceptions —reinforcing that digital growth supports, rather than undermines, sustainability goals.   

How is your company investing and innovating to make your data centres more efficient in their use of energy?

Carly: We’re always working to make our data centres more efficient and sustainable.

Cooling is a major focus. We’re finding ways to balance water and energy use, to ensure efficient operations and reduce emissions.

Innovations like liquid cooling are essential to ensure data centres are AI-ready and optimising energy efficiency. In Malaysia, our pioneering direct-to-chip liquid cooling for high-density AI servers delivers substantial energy savings and some of the lowest PUEs (Power Usage Effectiveness) in the region. Given the efficiency benefits, we’re working through opportunities to integrate liquid cooling into our other data centres.

We’re also investing in renewable energy. In Australia for example, we’ve partnered with Google to support a new solar farm that will add 25MW of clean energy to the grid. Across all our sites, we’re aiming to match 100% of our electricity use with renewables by 2030.

We’re also engaging with energy providers and regulators to support broader infrastructure improvements. It’s not something we do alone—it’s a shared effort with our partners and communities.

Jonathan: ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) is advancing energy efficiency through targeted innovation and sustainable design. Key initiatives include:

·       AI-driven cooling optimisation: In partnership with Phaidra, STT GDC has piloted autonomous AI systems that analyse real-time data to optimise cooling efficiency, potentially reducing cooling energy consumption by up to 30% in test facilities.

·       Hybrid and liquid cooling technologies: STT GDC deploys advanced systems that integrate air and liquid cooling to optimise cooling-specific energy efficiency and overall thermal management.

·       Renewable energy integration: Over 78% of STT GDC’s energy consumption globally is sourced from renewables, significantly reducing carbon emissions and aligning with national clean energy goals.

·       Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO): STT GDC is the first in Singapore to use HVO for backup generators. This renewable diesel alternative cuts lifecycle emissions by up to 90% without requiring engine modifications.

·       Energy-efficient infrastructure: Facilities are designed for scalability and efficiency, incorporating smart power distribution, low PUE and WUE metrics, and certified by LEED and Greenmark Platinum standards.

·       Transparent sustainability reporting: STT GDC publishes detailed ESG disclosures on energy, water, and emissions, reinforcing accountability and stakeholder trust.

Through these efforts and others, STT GDC is setting a regional benchmark for energy-efficient, future-ready digital infrastructure that supports growing demand while minimising environmental impact.

What role can AI play in making data centres more environmentally friendly?

Carly: Clearly, AI will change the way we work, live and play. It is increasingly becoming a valuable tool in all our lives and it’s no different in helping data centres operate more sustainably, and at AirTrunk, we’re seeing its potential across a few key areas.

AI can be used to help fine-tune how data centres run day to day. Real-time tools can help adjust power and cooling systems, so they use less energy and run more smoothly.

AI also helps with better planning. It can forecast energy demand and support the integration of renewables into the grid by managing variability. In construction, AI can be used to improve supply chain planning, which helps reduce waste and lower emissions tied to building materials.

All of this helps us design and operate data centres that are ready for the future—and more sustainable, too. AI is helping us move faster and smarter toward better outcomes for our customers, community and the environment.

Jonathan: AI plays a transformative role in boosting productivity and optimising nearly every industry, from streamlining manufacturing processes, facilitating smart grid management, to optimising logistics, and automating infrastructure. AI workloads drive significant efficiency gains that translate into reduced environmental footprints. The data centres supporting these AI workloads are essential enablers of this digital transformation and play a critical role in advancing sustainability over the long term.

Within the data centre itself, efficiency should be measured not just by total energy use, but by computing output per unit of energy. AI workloads powered by GPUs deliver significantly higher performance per watt than traditional CPUs, shifting the paradigm toward greater computational value with lower energy input. AI also enhances sustainability by optimising energy use and cooling systems—major energy consumers in data centres. Through real-time analytics and automation, AI forecasts energy demand, allocates resources efficiently, and fine-tunes cooling based on thermal conditions like temperature and airflow. It also enables predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and unnecessary energy use. Real-world examples highlight AI’s impact: Google cut cooling energy by 40% using AI, while STT GDC partnered with Phaidra to pilot autonomous AI control of hybrid cooling systems in Singapore.

Ultimately, AI drives a strategic shift in data centre management—from reactive to proactive—balancing performance with environmental responsibility. Innovations like liquid immersion cooling and AI-powered optimisation exemplify this evolution by improving efficiency and sustainability in advanced data-driven ways.

How should the industry work with local communities to build support for data centre investment?

Carly: Before building anything, we need to build trust. Data centres aren’t just technical facilities—they’re part of the communities they operate in, and it’s essential that we show up as good neighbours. That begins with helping people understand why data centres matter: they’re essential infrastructure powering everything from healthcare and education to banking and entertainment.

We also need to be transparent about how we use local resources. Energy and water are finite and needed to operate data centres. It’s our responsibility to justify that use through responsible design, innovation, and efficiency. Sustainability isn’t just a goal - it is one of AirTrunk’s values and it’s a commitment to operating in ways that respect and protect the environment.

Being a good neighbour means engaging with the local community early and often. It means creating employment opportunities, supporting local education, and ensuring our presence contributes positively to the region. Our impact should extend beyond the walls of the data centre, like through initiatives like STEM education, biodiversity and conservation, equal digital access and helping our communities during natural disasters.

None of this works without genuine engagement. It’s about being present and making sure our work brings lasting value to the people around us: we want to be great neighbours.

Jonathan: Workforce development is critical and central to community engagement. By partnering with educational institutions, training centres, and local governments, data centre operators can create tailored programmes that equip the community with skills for future-ready careers—directly benefiting the local economy. Investing in certifications and hands-on training helps close the skills gap and builds a resilient workforce. This transforms communities from passive neighbours into active participants in the industry’s growth, fostering trust and long-term support.

Prioritising local hiring and sourcing further circulates economic value, aligning with broader sustainable development goals. It positions the industry not just as an infrastructure provider, but as a committed community partner. Ultimately, meaningful collaboration and investment in talent create a virtuous cycle of opportunity, capability, and shared prosperity—building enduring support for data centre investment and empowering communities to thrive alongside digital progress.

How can governments and data centre operators work together to ensure that digital transformation and sustainability go hand in hand? 

Carly: Digital growth and sustainability should go hand in hand, but that only happens when everyone works together. It’s not just up to governments and data centre operators— utilities, communities, researchers, and advocacy groups - all have a role to play.

Governments can help by making planning and approvals more straightforward, supporting renewable energy development, and making sure policies reflect local needs. Operators need to be open about what they’re doing and ready to listen.

Communities must also be a part of this conversation. Data centres are built in real places, and it’s important to understand local concerns and opportunities—whether through jobs, education, or environmental projects.

Researchers and environmental groups help with transparency and accountability. Shared metrics and open reporting make it easier to track progress and improve. And when industry partners and utilities work together, we can scale up solutions faster.

No one has all the answers, but when all these voices come together and are heard, we can build digital infrastructure that supports growth and innovation while staying grounded in environmental and social responsibility.

Jonathan: Governments and data centre operators must forge strong public-private partnerships anchored in shared sustainability goals. Governments play a pivotal role by setting clear regulations, offering incentives, and enabling access to low-carbon energy markets. Initiatives like Singapore’s Green Data Centre Roadmap, Malaysia’s Data Centre Standards and Certification framework, and India’s open access renewable energy rules exemplify this approach. Regional efforts such as the ASEAN Power Grid can further enhance cross-border energy sharing and grid resilience, unlocking renewable potential across Southeast Asia.

Operators can align investments with these policies by adopting best-in-class technologies, reporting progress transparently, and co-developing solutions tailored to local conditions—such as sustainable cooling and low-carbon or renewable energy exploration projects. Joint investment in research, workforce development, and smart infrastructure strengthens the ecosystem beyond individual facilities. Leveraging AI, automation, and smart grids enhances planning, procurement, and operational efficiency.

Through coordinated action and continuous dialogue, governments and industry can drive balanced digital infrastructure growth that meets rising demand while advancing environmental goals—positioning the region as a leader in the global digital and green economy transition.