Singapore has launched a new standard to support data centre operators and users to deploy energy-efficient IT equipment, making us one of the first in the world to introduce data centre standards for IT energy efficiency in the tropics.
Through selecting and optimising the operation of IT equipment for energy efficiency and at higher temperatures, the standard “SS 715:2025: Energy Efficiency of Data Centre IT Equipment” aims to save energy consumption of IT equipment in data centres by at least 30 per cent.
In a typical data centre, IT equipment accounts for around 60 per cent of total energy use. The energy consumed by data centres is expected to increase further with the growing use of Artificial Intelligence, where the IT compute energy consumption is more intensive.
The standard aims to support data centre users to choose IT equipment that meet international energy efficiency baselines and adopt best practices in IT energy management, such as workload consolidation and virtualisation, to increase IT equipment utilisation. This will increase compute workload with the same or less energy take.
The standard also specifies that IT equipment should be able to operate safely at temperatures up to 35°C. Data centres that adopt Singapore’s Tropical Data Centre standard (SS697:2023) to operate at higher temperatures can potentially benefit from a further 2 per cent to 5 per cent energy saving on the cooling systems, with every 1°C increase in the data centre operating temperature.
Data centre end-users can tap on IMDA’s Energy Efficiency Grant for the DC sector to support the upgrade of their IT equipment to meet the energy efficiency baselines defined in the new Standard. The grant co-funds data centre end-users’ purchase of pre-approved energy-efficient IT equipment.
Ms Aileen Chia, Deputy Chief Executive of IMDA said, “Data centres provide a critical foundation for Singapore’s digital economy, enabling innovation and growth. This new IT EE standard builds on the progress made following the launch of the Green Data Centre Roadmap, and the Tropical Data Centre standard to accelerate both facility and IT energy efficiency in data centres. We will continue to work closely with industry to advance sustainable Green Data Centre growth in Singapore.”
The SS 715:2025 standard, which was co-developed with industry experts and academia, is available for purchase at https://www.singaporestandardseshop.sg/.
About Infocomm Media Development Authority
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.
For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@IMDAsg).
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