In the dynamic digital landscape, data centres have become one of the crucial components
of modern infrastructure, serving as the growth engines that drive everything from online
communication to financial transactions. As Malaysia continues to strengthen its position
as a leading digital hub in Southeast Asia, the data centre industry plays a crucial role in
this digital transformation. It significantly contributes to economic growth and enhances
the nation’s global competitiveness.
Recognising the importance of sustainability, Malaysia is committed to advancing its data
centre infrastructure with a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility. Sustainable
development of data centres that focus on reducing energy consumption and carbon
footprints is at the forefront of this initiative. Integrating cutting-edge technologies and
sustainable practices is crucial not only for mitigating environmental impact but also aligns
with Malaysia’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
To support this vision, the Government hasintroduced the Digital Ecosystem Acceleration
(DESAC) incentive scheme to attract quality digital infrastructure projects, such as data
centres and cloud computing, while accelerating the development of Malaysia’s digital
economy.
This guideline provides a comprehensive framework for the development and operation
ofsustainable data centresin Malaysia. It outlines best practices and regulatory standards
to ensure that data centres are high-performing and environmentally friendly. By adopting
these guidelines, Malaysia aims to set a benchmark forsustainable data centre operations,
reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable development in the region.
The objectives are;
1.1 To position Malaysia as the data centre hub in Southeast Asia by attracting
investment from sustainable data centre organisations;
1.2 To unlock further capacity of organisations in designing and operating energyefficient data centre;
1.3 To accelerate the use of renewable or clean energy in delivering low-carbon
energy sources for the operation of the data centre; and
1.4 To encourage innovation in enhancing the efficiency of water consumption in the
design and operation of the data centre
