GDS, a prominent developer and operator of high-performance data centers in Asia, has reaffirmed its dedication to sustainability by entering into a 21-year renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Cenergi SEA Berhad, a leading solar power producer and renewable energy developer based in Malaysia.
This agreement, signed on February 2nd, 2024, places GDS among the pioneering group of green power consumers in Malaysia under the Corporate Green Power Program (CGPP), overseen by Malaysia’s Energy Commission. GDS has committed to securing 22.5MWac of renewable power for its Nusajaya Tech Park Data Center Campus in Johor.
Partnering with Cenergi enables GDS to acquire Renewable Energy Credits, aiding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Cenergi, a subsidiary of UEM Group Berhad, specializes in sustainable energy solutions and is a major player in Malaysia’s renewable energy sector, making it an ideal partner for GDS’s sustainability efforts.
The renewable energy procured through this agreement will come from Cenergi’s 29.99MWac large-scale solar photovoltaic farm in Kedah, Malaysia, expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Through this collaboration, GDS anticipates a substantial reduction in its carbon footprint, equivalent to eliminating CO2 emissions from thousands of petrol-powered vehicles and homes’ electricity usage for a year. This initiative, combined with GDS’s existing green data center technologies, lays the groundwork for further carbon emissions reduction and increased renewable energy utilization.
William Huang, Chairman and CEO of GDS, expressed the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, highlighting the significance of this partnership in driving sustainable innovation within the sector.
Hairol Azizi Tajudin, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cenergi, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainability and the positive impact of such partnerships in advancing Malaysia’s renewable energy goals outlined in the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
Overall, the collaboration between GDS and Cenergi signifies a significant step towards greening Malaysia’s energy mix and creating a more sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.
