Singapore’s clean energy transition is gaining fresh momentum as Equinix launches a multi-year funding initiative to accelerate low-carbon innovation. The company plans to commit more than S$9 million through 2028. This funding will support research, policy development, and emerging technologies tied to the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
At the same time, the initiative reflects growing urgency. Singapore still relies heavily on natural gas for electricity. However, to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the country must diversify its energy mix. Consequently, policymakers have begun advancing plans to import up to four gigawatts of low-carbon electricity by 2035. In parallel, they continue to assess hydrogen, geothermal energy, and carbon capture as future pathways.
Aligning Clean Energy With Digital Growth
Against this backdrop, Equinix designed its program to connect industry, academia, and policy research. Rather than fund isolated studies, the company is backing projects that address both near-term feasibility and long-term scalability. As a result, the initiative supports Singapore’s energy transition while also responding to rising digital demand.
Equinix argues that clean power now underpins digital and AI-driven growth. As data volumes increase across Asia, companies can no longer treat energy supply as a secondary concern. Instead, they must view it as a strategic enabler. Therefore, through targeted research investments, Equinix aims to strengthen technical expertise and institutional capacity across the energy ecosystem.
Early Research and Policy Focus Areas
The program’s first phase already includes grants to five organizations spanning policy, research, and standards development. For example, the Asia Clean Energy Coalition is developing regulatory frameworks to support renewable procurement and cross-border power imports. Through its work with Equinix, the coalition seeks to improve policy alignment and market transparency across Asia.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources is conducting an evidence-based assessment of nuclear technologies. Its research will evaluate whether nuclear power could play a role in Singapore’s future energy mix. At the same time, the International Tracking Standard Foundation is advancing renewable energy certificate frameworks. Its studies focus on improving the credibility and auditability of cross-border attribute tracking systems.
Academic institutions also play a central role. Nanyang Technological University, through its Energy Research Institute, is examining whether non-conventional geothermal resources could support data center cooling. Separately, the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute is analyzing the technical and economic requirements for a domestic clean hydrogen supply chain.
From Singular Solutions to Portfolio Thinking
Taken together, these efforts signal a broader shift in energy planning. Instead of pursuing a single breakthrough solution, Singapore is adopting a portfolio approach. This strategy combines policy reform, infrastructure experimentation, and emerging technologies.
With Equinix’s funding now in place, several of these pathways can move from theory to practical evaluation. Over the next few years, these studies will help determine which options can scale. Ultimately, this approach positions clean energy not as a constraint, but as a foundation for Singapore’s digital and economic future.
