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CNA
18 minutes ago
- CNA
Around 55,000 BTO flats to be launched between 2025 and 2027
Around 55,000 Build-To-Order flats will be launched in the next two years, a 10 per cent increase from previously expected. The National Development Minister says there are also plans to build more BTO flats that will be ready faster over the next two years. New technlogy will also be used to upkeep public housing flats under the refreshed Home Improvement Programme. Alexandra Anand with more.
Business Times
an hour ago
- Business Times
Singapore's projected data centre capacity growth lowest among Asia-Pacific: PwC report
[SINGAPORE] Land limitations, as well as policies that support green data centres in Singapore, have constrained the city-state's data centre capacity growth, indicated a recent PwC report. Singapore's data centre capacity is projected to have an compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8 per cent between 2024 and 2028, the lowest rate out of 14 Asia-Pacific markets analysed in the report. However, it highlighted that the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) could potentially be a model for data centre operators looking to set up their assets in dual locations. While Singapore has limited land and sources of renewable energy, Johor presents a compelling value proposition with more affordable land, lower construction costs and reduced operating expenses. This sets the stage for a dual-location strategy in which low-latency artificial intelligence (AI) applications can be hosted in Singapore, where robust digital infrastructure supports real-time responsiveness and minimises downtime, stated the report. Meanwhile, high-latency training workloads can be located in Johor, where energy and space constraints are less severe. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 pm ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up Sign Up 'This allows corporations to conduct high-latency AI training with scale in these neighbouring regions while situating critical, last-mile, low-latency AI inference workloads in Singapore,' stated the report. Low-latency computing supports AI applications that require near-instantaneous processing and response. Hence, it would be more beneficial for data centres that support these applications to be located closer to data sources for reduced response times and improved performance. High-latency computing involves teaching a model to identify patterns or perform tasks by processing vast datasets. It is highly computer-intensive, hence, scale and power access become the primary considerations. With strong subsea cable connectivity linking both markets to global hubs, as well as tax incentives and access to upgraded infrastructure being offered for companies establishing data centres in the region, the report noted that 'the SEZ has the potential to serve as a model for regional data centre integration – enabling workload specialisation and shared benefits across neighbouring territories'. Data centres in Asia-Pacific Across Asia-Pacific, data centre capacity is expected to more than double from 12.2 gigawatts (GW) of live capacity at the end of 2024 to 26.1 GW by 2028, said the report. The region's AI-related data centre capacity is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21 per cent from 2.2 GW in 2024 to 4.8 GW in 2028. Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Japan have emerged as the frontrunners in the report, with a forecasted CAGR of at least 30 per cent over the same period. However, the report noted that access to energy continues to pose a growing concern for many territories. 'The energy demands of AI workloads are pushing data centre operators to seek locations with stable, high-capacity electricity supply and low risk of disruption. Energy costs and sustainability targets are also front of mind – prompting operators to favour areas with affordable electricity and access to renewable sources,' stated the report. It also added that a more fundamental issue is access to the energy grid itself, as grid readiness will determine whether operators can reliably tap into imported energy easily. Renewable energy alone is may not be enough sufficient to power the energy consumption demands of data centres. The electricity consumption of the top six Asia-Pacific territories by data centre capacity – China, Japan, Australia, India, Singapore and South Korea – is expected to grow by 16 per cent annually until 2030, reaching between 750 and 800 terawatt-hour (TWh). Renewable energy generation capacity, however, is expected to increase at a lower pace of 13 per cent annually. PwC analysis showed that the current renewable energy gap of between 200 and 300 TWh may widen to more than 500 TWh. 'So, while renewable energy remains central to powering data centres more sustainably, it's unlikely to be enough to meet the region's fast-growing energy demands alone. To close the widening gap, data centre operators are exploring alternative energy sources – including hydrogen, ammonia and nuclear power – while also investing in efficiency improvements and carbon offset strategies,' said the report. Currently, data centre operators are purchasing carbon offsets or renewable energy certificates (REC) to meet sustainability goals. However, the report said that operators are under growing pressure to contribute directly to emissions reduction, and not just offset them. 'While they may serve as a quick solution, they cannot be a permanent solution if data centres are to truly decarbonise,' said the report. While having access to renewable energy is increasingly important for data centre operators, South-east Asia still lags in renewable energy adoption. The shift from fossil fuel dependency to renewables in South-east Asia will require substantial investment in infrastructure. However, there is hesitation among governments in the region to increase public debt for infrastructure development, which often limits the speed of transition. 'Private investors must carefully navigate regulatory policies, political dynamics and licensing requirements when investing in or establishing renewable energy facilities. Players must adopt a localised perspective when evaluating the feasibility of renewable energy investments in different territories,' added the report.
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Gaia Series 98: MUJI, Behind the Scenes
This week's episode goes behind the shelves of MUJI's largest store to reveal how the brand is quietly rethinking how we live, shop and connect. In under three months since opening its doors, the world's largest MUJI store in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, has become a new benchmark for what retail can mean in modern Japan. With more than 7,000 products under one minimalist roof, the store is not just a retail space, it is a manifestation of MUJI's commitment to simplicity, sustainability and social responsibility. The flagship store draws in massive crowds, including around 20,000 visitors on its opening day alone. Despite being located in the suburbs, people willingly make the journey. One visitor shared, 'I heard it's the biggest MUJI in Japan, so I drove here. It took us about an hour by car.' The store includes extensive offerings such as upcycled furniture, locally themed souvenirs like haniwa clay figures, and imperfect dishes that embrace wabi-sabi aesthetics. Meanwhile, in Tokyo's Ariake district, MUJI's city-style shop is making its on waves with one of its latest hits: The Lunch Capsule. This upright bento box, which retails from 590 yen (S$5), has proven to be unexpectedly popular, selling three times more than projected since its launch in March. 'Other shops were completely sold out. So today, my husband brought me here,' one customer said. Karin Takano from MUJI's food department explained, 'We want people to enjoy making bento with a fun, easy, and fresh approach to homemade lunches.' Beyond retail, MUJI is quietly leading transformative efforts in Japan's ageing public housing estates. In Chiba's Hanamigawa estate, built in 1968, where 40 per cent of the residents are over 70 and the population has halved, MUJI sees opportunity. At a local festival, MUJI's mobile shop revitalised an empty storefront, bringing life back to the neighbourhood. Asako Kato from MUJI's Chiba branch said, 'We've made it our policy to attend these events to help bring more energy to local communities.' Since 2012, MUJI has partnered with the Urban Renaissance Agency to renovate nearly 1,400 units across 78 estates. Its interventions are modest but effective — clean, functional interiors with open plans. Residents, such as a couple who moved from Tokyo, appreciate the comfort. 'Now that the kids have moved out, it's perfect for our generation,' said the husband. 'It's more than enough for just the two of us.' This year, MUJI launched a new project to furnish existing estate units with its products, transforming them into lifestyle showcases. These model rooms offer more than design inspiration. 'With the furniture in place, it's easier to visualise what real life would be like here,' one visitor commented. MUJI listens to this feedback closely. In one case, they dropped a two-seater sofa from the plan after finding it too large. 'As we tried to keep things simple, I felt the two-seater wasn't quite right. Even though I'm the one selling it,' said Ms Kato. MUJI's philosophy of 'waste not' extends to its global supply chains. In Indonesia, sourcing expert Naoto Higuchi is pioneering the use of kapok, a natural fibre that is light, quick-drying and eco-friendly. Traditionally used for stuffing cushions, MUJI aims to develop it into clothing-grade fabric. But there are challenges. Kapok fibres are short and float above the heavier cotton during processing, making spinning difficult. The breakthrough came from using a 50-year-old spinning machine at Kumatex, a Japanese-owned factory. 'This kind of work cannot be done with modern high-speed machines,' explained the company. Despite hurdles, the goal is to shift production closer to the source. Currently, MUJI sends Indonesian kapok to China for spinning, but they hope to bring this process to Indonesia itself, lowering transport costs and boosting local economies. Mr Higuchi expressed a long-term vision: 'Making products from locally sourced kapok is a dream of ours in a way. And we really want to take on that challenge.' In Japan, another MUJI initiative is rooted in rice. In Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, the company has worked with farmers for two years to grow Princess Sally, a fragrant blend of Japanese and Indica rice. This variety pairs well with spicy food, including MUJI's popular curries. However, the 2024 rice crisis threw the project into uncertainty. As market prices for Koshihikari surged, some farmers hesitated to continue with Princess Sally despite a 25 per cent increase in MUJI's purchase price offer. Farmer Takahito Sakuma, one of the first to sign on, was candid: 'This year's been painful, but... if for example, in an extreme case, next year's market price goes up 1.5 times, and we're still locked at this offer price, then honestly, I don't think that's right.' Another farmer, Kazumasa Kawana, who suffered a 1.5 million yen loss, said, 'It was worse than expected... I felt like quitting completely.' But the story ends with hope. Mr Kazunari Sato, head of MUJI's Social Good Division, continued the dialogue and ultimately expanded the project. In February, eight new farmers from Katori City joined, receiving seed rice and a promise of stable prices. 'Through hands-on experience, we can learn how to improve yield,' said one farmer. MUJI aims to create a dependable system for quality rice production. 'We just barely managed to keep it going,' Mr Sato admitted.
