Introduction to AI-Driven Data Centres
As more companies in Asia Pacific adopt artificial intelligence to boost their operations, the pressure on data centres is growing fast. Traditional facilities, built for earlier generations of computing, are struggling to keep up with the heavy energy use and cooling demands of modern AI systems. By 2030, GPU-driven workloads could push rack power densities toward 1 MW, making incremental upgrades no longer enough. Instead, operators are now turning toward purpose-built “AI factory” data centres that are designed from the ground up.
Explosive Market Growth
The AI data-centre market is projected to surge from $236 billion in 2025 to nearly $934 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by rapid adoption of AI in industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. These sectors rely on high-performance computing environments powered by dense GPU clusters, which require far more energy and cooling capacity than traditional servers.
In Asia Pacific, this demand is amplified by government investments in digitalisation, the expansion of 5G, and the rollout of cloud-native and generative AI applications. All of this is pushing compute needs higher at a pace the region has never seen before.
Cooling and Power Challenges
As rack densities increase from 40 kW to 130 kW, and potentially up to 250 kW by 2030, cooling and power delivery are becoming important issues. Traditional air cooling methods are no longer enough for these conditions.
To address this, companies are developing hybrid cooling systems that mix direct-to-chip liquid cooling with air-based solutions. Systems can adjust to changing workloads, reduce energy use, and maintain reliability.
Data Centres Redesigned for AI
The rise of liquid-cooled GPU pods and 1 MW racks signals a deeper architectural shift. Instead of retrofitting older facilities, new data centres are being designed specifically to support AI.
The future of data-centre architecture is hybrid, and these infrastructures require facilities to be built around liquid flow. This includes new floor layouts, advanced coolant distribution, and more sophisticated power systems.
Transition to AI Factory Data Centres
By 2030, Asia Pacific is expected to overtake the US in data centre capacity, reaching almost 24 GW of commissioned power. To handle this growth, enterprises are moving away from ad hoc upgrades toward full-stack AI factory data centres.
This transition should happen in stages. The first step is integrated planning, bringing together power, cooling, and IT management rather than treating them as separate systems. The approach simplifies deployment and provides a strong base for scaling.
Modular Solutions
Many emerging economies in Asia Pacific face challenges like limited land, unstable power supply, and shortages of skilled labour. In these settings, modular and prefabricated data-centre systems offer a practical solution.
Prefabricated modules can cut deployment times by up to 50%, while improving energy efficiency and scalability. They allow operators to expand gradually, adding capacity as needed without heavy upfront investment.
DC Power and Sustainability
DC power is gaining new relevance for AI data centres. Switching to DC power can cut energy losses by reducing the number of conversion steps between the grid and the server. It also aligns with renewable energy and battery storage systems, which are becoming more common in Asia Pacific.
Sustainability is becoming a central priority. With AI driving up energy use, data-centre operators are facing stricter regulations and rising grid constraints. Companies are working with operators to integrate alternative energy sources like lithium-ion batteries, hybrid power systems, and microgrids.
Preparing for the Future
The AI surge is reshaping how data centres are built and operated in Asia Pacific. As workloads intensify and sustainability pressures mount, companies can no longer rely on outdated infrastructure. The move toward AI factory data centres, powered by advanced cooling, DC power, and modular systems, reflects a shift in how the region is preparing for the next era of computing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the growth of AI is transforming the data centre industry in Asia Pacific. With the demand for high-performance computing environments on the rise, companies are turning to purpose-built AI factory data centres to meet their needs. These facilities are designed to handle the heavy energy use and cooling demands of modern AI systems, and are being built with sustainability and scalability in mind.
FAQs
Q: What is driving the growth of the AI data-centre market in Asia Pacific?
A: The growth of the AI data-centre market in Asia Pacific is driven by rapid adoption of AI in industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, as well as government investments in digitalisation and the expansion of 5G.
Q: What are the challenges faced by traditional data centres in handling AI workloads?
A: Traditional data centres are struggling to keep up with the heavy energy use and cooling demands of modern AI systems, and are facing challenges such as limited land, unstable power supply, and shortages of skilled labour.
Q: What is the benefit of using DC power in AI data centres?
A: Switching to DC power can cut energy losses by reducing the number of conversion steps between the grid and the server, and also aligns with renewable energy and battery storage systems.
Q: How can data centre operators prepare for the future of AI?
A: Data centre operators can prepare for the future of AI by adopting modular and prefabricated systems, integrating alternative energy sources, and building sustainability and scalability into their infrastructure.
