Datacloud Asia Advisory Board Interview

1. What do you see as the biggest challenge to delivering the next wave of data centre capacity across APAC over the next three years?

The biggest challenge is not demand, it is execution at scale. The industry has moved from planning 50 MW campuses to developing gigawatt-scale digital infrastructure. At the same time, customers expect much faster delivery timelines while digital transformation is accelerating infrastructure requirements at an unprecedented pace.

The challenge is threefold, securing skilled talent, delivering projects faster, and adapting to rapidly evolving technologies. Everything is changing simultaneously, from chip architectures to cooling systems to energy infrastructure. The operators that can build talent, execute at speed, and continuously adapt their designs will be best positioned to meet the next wave of demand.

Importantly, this is not just about building facilities. Digital infrastructure has become a foundation for economic growth, innovation, education, healthcare, and community development. The faster we build responsibly, the faster societies can benefit from a truly digital economy.

2. How is AI changing investment priorities, infrastructure planning, or customer demand in your part of the industry?

Digital infrastructure is entering a new phase of growth. While AI workloads are driving a significant portion of new demand, traditional cloud adoption, digital services, and enterprise transformation continue to expand simultaneously.

The scale of investment has changed dramatically. Five years ago, the industry was discussing tens of megawatts. Today, we are planning hundreds of megawatts and even gigawatt-scale developments. Customers are demanding faster deployment, greater energy efficiency, and infrastructure that can adapt to emerging technologies.

Technology cycles are becoming shorter. Chip architectures are evolving rapidly, cooling requirements are changing, and the industry is exploring new approaches such as battery energy storage solutions alongside traditional power systems. Infrastructure planning today requires much greater flexibility because customer requirements are evolving faster than ever before.

What is clear is that investment is no longer only about capacity. It is about creating digital infrastructure that supports innovation, economic productivity, and new opportunities for businesses and communities alike.

3. Which APAC markets or opportunities do you think the data centre industry is currently underestimating – and why?

India remains one of the most underestimated opportunities globally.

The opportunity is driven by a unique combination of demographics, digital adoption, government initiatives, and economic growth. India's population scale, increasing per-capita data consumption, and rapidly expanding digital economy are creating sustained demand for digital infrastructure.

What is particularly exciting is India's ability to leapfrog traditional development models. Initiatives such as Digi Yatra, UPI, and Quick commerce etc. demonstrate how digital services are improving everyday experiences and enabling seamless citizen engagement. That creates a chain reaction across industries, accelerating demand for connectivity, cloud services, digital platforms, and advanced computing infrastructure.

The broader impact extends far beyond technology. Digital infrastructure enables education, healthcare, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. As India continues its digital journey, the opportunity is not just to build capacity, but to build infrastructure that helps communities participate in and benefit from economic growth.

4. As demand accelerates but constraints around power, land and capital intensify, what will separate the winners from the losers in APAC’s data centre market by 2030?

Energy will be the single biggest differentiator.

Access to reliable, scalable, and sustainable power will determine which operators can support the next generation of digital infrastructure requirements. This is where companies with deep capabilities across the energy ecosystem will have a significant advantage.

Beyond energy, success will depend on design excellence and execution capability. The companies that can consistently deliver large-scale infrastructure safely, efficiently, and on schedule will create meaningful competitive differentiation.

The third factor is people and community engagement. Building digital infrastructure at scale requires strong partnerships with governments, local communities, customers, and stakeholders.

The winners will be those who create value not only for shareholders and customers, but also for the communities where they operate through skills development, and economic opportunities.

5. If you could gather the industry's key decision-makers (data centre operators, hyperscalers, investors, energy providers and policymakers) in one room, what is the one conversation that absolutely needs to happen right now?

The industry needs a more balanced conversation about the role of digital infrastructure in society.

Today, the conversation should be about how digital infrastructure can help societies achieve more. It enables better access to education, healthcare, financial services, innovation, and economic opportunity. When deployed responsibly, technology becomes a powerful force for inclusion, productivity, and long-term growth. Digital infrastructure is the foundation that makes this possible.

The conversation should focus on how industry, policymakers, educators, and businesses can work together to accelerate digital adoption, build future-ready skills, and ensure communities fully participate in the opportunities created by the digital economy.

Success should not be measured only by the infrastructure we build, but by the value it creates for people, businesses, and communities. Ultimately, digital infrastructure is about expanding access, enabling innovation, and creating a more connected, prosperous, and inclusive future.