Norwegian company DNV forecasts that data centre power demand in Southeast Asia will rise almost ninefold by 2040.
Its Energy Transition Outlook 2026 puts annual consumption at around 17 terawatt-hours today. DNV expects this to reach 48 TWh in 2030 and 152 TWh in 2040.
The outlook accompanies DNV’s global report, scheduled for launch on 7 October. Its Southeast Asia region also includes Papua New Guinea and Pacific Island States.
Grid connections constrain growth
DNV expects the fastest growth between 2028 and 2032, averaging 29 per cent annually.
Malaysia’s Johor has become a major destination for investment. However, grid connections remain a bottleneck there and in Singapore.
Wider demand rises
Meanwhile, DNV forecasts that overall regional electricity use will roughly quadruple by 2060. Solar will become the largest renewable power source, while coal remains the leading source of electricity until around 2030.
