The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently announced a significant investment by Singapore data center company ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) that is expected to support domestic supply chains and create high-paying technical jobs.
According to the DTI, STT GDC's expansion, strengthened by its local partnership with Ayala Corp. and Globe, directly stimulates domestic supply chains, creates specialized, high-paying technical jobs, and equips the workforce with world-class digital skills.
STT GDC Philippines' growth plan includes a total capacity pipeline scaling toward 128 megawatts (MW), which is a significant addition to the company's existing operations in the country.
The Philippines has been identified as an attractive destination for global hyperscalers due to its competitive power costs and sufficient land for data center plans, according to STT GDC Group Southeast Asia Chief Executive Officer Lionel Yeo.
Mr. Yeo noted that the Philippines has competitive energy costs when administrative and add-on costs are factored into headline rates, ranking roughly in the middle among the six Southeast Asian markets where STT GDC operates.
Data center developments in the Philippines are driving growth in key industries such as domestic engineering, construction, consulting, and power, according to the DTI.
Every dollar invested in data center infrastructure generates roughly $2.60 to $3 in ancillary economic activity, according to Mr. Yeo.
To ensure the workforce benefits from data center investments, STT GDC Philippines has partnered with global certification body EPI Group to run its DC Power-Up training program, which sponsors engineers and technicians to earn the globally recognized Data Center Foundation Certificate.
The company operates seven data centers in the Philippines with a combined information technology load of nearly 150 MW, and this new investment is expected to further support the growth of the country's digital infrastructure.
