Advancing R&D, talent development and the region’s energy transition

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 January 2026 - ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world's fastest growing data centre colocation providers headquartered in Singapore, today announced two significant initiatives that strengthen Singapore's position in the global digital and energy transition: the launch of the FutureGrid Accelerator, Southeast Asia's first live High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)-powered AI infrastructure testbed; and a suite of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with four Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to advance skills development and expand internship and early career pathways for Singaporeans entering the workforce. These initiatives align with national efforts to support talent graduating into a challenging job market, while building the specialised capabilities required for next generation power and digital infrastructure. Officiated by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade & Industry, the announcement underscores a national push to build capabilities not only for AI-ready data centres, but also for the wider energy ecosystem, as Singapore and the region pursue net-zero ambitions. FutureGrid Accelerator: HVDC innovation for AI and the wider energy transition Located at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) Electrification and Power Grids Centre (EPGC) on Jurong Island, the FutureGrid Accelerator is a pioneering initiative jointly developed by STT GDC and LITEON, supported by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) and NTU deep-tech spinoff Amperesand. It is the region's first live testbed demonstrating HVDC integration with real AI workloads, addressing the high-density and high-resiliency requirements of next-generation AI computing. While central to the future of AI data centre architecture, HVDC represents a broader opportunity: it is a foundational technology that supports more efficient, resilient and integrated power systems. This is critical for Singapore's long-term energy strategy, its transition to low-carbon energy grids and the region's increasing need for sustainable power delivery. Why HVDC Matters: A scalable platform beyond the data centre As AI and high-performance computing workloads scale, traditional alternating current (AC) power systems face inherent limitations. HVDC overcomes these constraints and delivers several transformative benefits:

• Up to 30% overall energy savings compared to conventional AC systems
• A reduction of up to 400 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) per megawatt per year
• 45% lower copper consumption and a 30–40% smaller power-infrastructure footprint
• The ability to support ultra-high-density racks exceeding 1,000kW, with higher reliability and lower cost
• Native compatibility with renewable power sources able to feed directly to the direct-current system, avoiding inefficient power conversions

"The FutureGrid Accelerator is a strategic investment in Singapore's long-term digital leadership," said Bruno Lopez, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. "By bringing together global industry leaders like LITEON with local deep-tech talent such as Amperesand, we are building infrastructure that is ready for future AI workloads while pioneering sustainable practices and setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and carbon-conscious innovation. This initiative reflects our commitment to future-ready technologies and reinforces Singapore's position as a global Centre of Excellence for advanced sustainable digital infrastructure. It is a bold step forward in shaping the future of data centres and accelerating energy transition across the region." Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs & Trade and Industry, said: "The FutureGrid Accelerator demonstrates how industry and academia can work together to drive innovation and strengthen Singapore's global leadership in cutting-edge technologies. I also welcome STT GDC's partnerships with ITE and SP, which will add to the suite of training options for the rapidly growing areas of AI and energy-efficient systems." The FutureGrid Accelerator will validate HVDC system performance at power loads of at least 325kW, incorporating the latest AI servers. The environment...