As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into various industries across Asia Pacific, the demand for more efficient and tailored AI data centres has never been greater. A recent statistic indicates that the AI data-centre market is projected to surge from $236 billion in 2025 to nearly $934 billion by 2030. This dramatic growth is compelling traditional data centres to adapt rapidly, as they struggle to meet the soaring energy consumption and cooling demands of contemporary AI systems. By 2030, workloads powered by GPU technology may push rack power densities as high as 1 MW, revealing that incremental upgrades alone will no longer suffice. Instead, many operators are transitioning to specialized, purpose-built AI data centres, also referred to as “AI factories,” designed specifically to accommodate these modern demands.
In this article, we will explore how the region is gearing up to support this shift and what significant infrastructural changes lie ahead.
Transforming Infrastructure for AI Workloads
The rapid adoption of AI across multiple sectors—including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing—has catalyzed an urgent requirement for data centres that can provide robust support for high-performance computing. These sectors are heavily reliant on dense GPU clusters, which necessitate substantially greater energy and cooling capacities compared to traditional servers. Investments in digitalisation, alongside the proliferation of 5G and the rise of cloud-native applications, have intensified the need for computational power in Asia Pacific, marking an unprecedented escalation in demand.
According to Paul Churchill, Vice President of Vertiv Asia, meeting these needs calls for a comprehensive strategy that transcends mere facility expansion. He emphasizes the urgency of adopting AI-optimized infrastructure that synergizes advanced thermal management with scalable power systems. “Infrastructure leaders must move beyond piecemeal upgrades. A future-ready strategy involves adopting AI-optimised infrastructure that combines high-capacity power systems, advanced thermal management, and integrated, scalable designs,” he stated.
Innovative Cooling and Power Solutions
With rack densities expected to increase from 40 kW to 130 kW and potentially reach up to 250 kW by 2030, the challenges surrounding cooling and power delivery are becoming pivotal. Conventional air cooling methods are inadequate for these elevated requirements. To counter this, companies like Vertiv are developing hybrid cooling systems that blend direct-to-chip liquid cooling with air-based solutions. Such systems are designed to adapt to varying workloads, enhancing energy efficiency and maintaining reliability.
“Our coolant distribution units enable direct-to-chip liquid cooling while ensuring reliability and serviceability in high-density environments,” Churchill shared.
The evolving nature of AI workloads—characterized by rapid fluctuations—further complicates power delivery systems. Vertiv is advancing its rack power distribution units and busway systems to accommodate higher voltages and improve load balancing for better efficiency. Intelligent monitoring technologies are crucial in helping data centre operators manage loads more effectively, thereby extending uptime, which is critical in regions where power grids may be less stable.
Redesigning Data Centres for a New Era
The emergence of liquid-cooled GPU pods and 1 MW racks, as envisioned by AMD and major players like Microsoft, Google, and Meta, is indicative of a significant architectural evolution. New AI data centres are not being retrofitted from older designs; instead, they are being constructed specifically with AI in mind. “The future of data-centre architecture is hybrid, and these infrastructures require facilities to be built around liquid flow,” Churchill noted.
This next generation of facilities will intertwine cooling, power, and monitoring systems from the chip level to the grid itself. For the Asia Pacific region, characterized by rapid developments in hyperscale campuses, this integrated approach is essential for meeting modern performance expectations in an environmentally sustainable manner.
From Incremental Changes to Full-Scale AI Data Centres
By 2030, Asia Pacific is forecasted to eclipse the United States in data centre capacity, reaching close to 24 GW of commissioned power. To accommodate this explosive growth, enterprises are shifting away from ad-hoc infrastructure upgrades towards fully engineered AI data centres.
Churchill describes a phased approach to this transformation: the initial phase involves integrated planning that harmonizes power, cooling, and IT management instead of treating them in isolation. This method simplifies deployment and lays a strong foundation for future scalability. The second phase focuses on implementing modular and prefabricated systems, which offer companies the flexibility to expand capacity gradually and with minimal disruption. “Companies can deploy factory-tested modules alongside existing infrastructure, gradually migrating workloads to AI-ready capacity without disruptive overhauls,” he explained.
Moreover, sustainability must be a core consideration in this transformation, incorporating advanced solutions like lithium-ion energy storage and higher-voltage distribution systems to enhance efficiency and resilience.
The Rise of DC Power in AI Data Centres
Vertiv has recently introduced the PowerDirect Rack, a DC power shelf crafted specifically for AI and high-performance computing environments. Transitioning to DC power can vastly reduce energy losses by streamlining the number of conversion steps between the power grid and servers. This approach also aligns seamlessly with the increasing use of renewable energy and battery storage systems, which have become more prevalent in the Asia Pacific region. For markets like Vietnam and the Philippines, where energy constraints are a concern, flexible power solutions are indispensable for maintaining operational continuity. As Churchill articulates, DC power isn’t merely about efficiency; it’s a foundational strategy for enabling sustainable scalability in data centres.
Addressing Sustainability Through Innovation
The surging energy demands prompted by AI technologies are compelling data-centre operators to navigate stricter regulations and grid limitations. This scenario is particularly pronounced in Southeast Asia, where reliability and energy costs can vary significantly. Vertiv collaborates with operators to integrate alternative energy options such as lithium-ion batteries and microgrids to lessen reliance on traditional grid power and bolster operational resilience. Additionally, increasing reliance on solar-backed UPS systems and cutting-edge energy storage technologies can facilitate effective load balancing and cost management.
Energy-efficient cooling practices are equally vital. The implementation of hybrid liquid cooling systems allows operators to reduce energy and water consumption compared to conventional techniques. “Our focus is on delivering infrastructure that meets performance demands while aligning with ESG goals,” Churchill reaffirmed. Collaborating with partners ensures that growth driven by AI in the region is responsible, sustainable, and aligned with long-term environmental objectives.
Modular Solutions for Efficient Expansion
Emerging economies within the Asia Pacific region often face significant challenges, such as land scarcity, inconsistent power supply, and skilled labor shortages. In these contexts, modular and prefabricated data-centre systems provide a pragmatic solution. These prefabricated modules can expedite deployment times by up to 50%, while also enhancing energy efficiency and scalability. They empower operators to expand gradually, adjusting capacity as requirements fluctuate without necessitating substantial upfront investments. This versatility is particularly crucial for handling AI workloads, which can exhibit rapid and unpredictable growth.
Blending compact design with energy-efficient operation, modular systems present a path for operators to establish AI-ready capacity swiftly, mitigating risks and facilitating growth in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Preparing for the Future of Data Centres
The rise of AI technologies is fundamentally transforming the construction and operational paradigms of data centres in the Asia Pacific region. With increasing workloads and mounting sustainability pressures, outdated infrastructures can no longer sustain the demands of modern computing. The shift towards AI factory data centres, powered by advanced cooling systems, DC power solutions, and modular architectures, encapsulates how the industry is strategically positioning itself for the next era of AI-driven growth.
To deepen this topic, check our detailed analyses on Artificial Intelligence section
