Facebook to build first Asia data centre in Singapore
Hundreds of jobs will be generated from the opening of social media giant Facebook's $1.4 billion data centre in Singapore - its first in Asia and its 15th in the world.
The centre in Tanjong Kling - formerly known as Data Center Park - aims to start operations in 2022 with construction still continuing for a few years.
Facebook said yesterday: "Our data centres are highly advanced facilities that help bring Facebook apps and services to people around the world every day."
The 170,000 sq m, 11-storey building will feature a facade made out of a perforated lightweight material that will allow air flow and provide glimpses of the equipment inside.
Fortis Construction has been appointed general contractor for the project, a result of a "joint experience building efficient data centres", said Facebook.
Mr Thomas Furlong, Facebook's vice-president of infrastructure data centres, said Singapore was chosen for its robust infrastructure, access to fibre, a talented workforce and support from government agencies.
He noted at an event here yesterday to announce the centre that Facebook has around 1,000 employees in Singapore and boasts programmes that promote media literacy and help local start-ups expand.
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said Facebook's presence is vital in helping Singapore connect to the rest of the world by transcending the "physical constraints of size and space", and making the country a part of the global data centre value chain.
The project is also a milestone as it "helps break new ground in land utilisation and energy consumption".
The centre is said to be the first to incorporate the new StatePoint Liquid Cooling system, which minimises water and power consumption.
It aims to reduce by 20 per cent the amount of peak water used in climates like Singapore's.
Facebook said the facility is expected to be powered by 100 per cent renewable power.
This comes as Google said last month it is building a third data centre in Singapore to meet rapid user growth in the region, bringing its total investment in such facilities here to US$850 million (S$1.2 billion). - THE STRAITS TIMES
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