AWS: Southeast Asia’s Green Energy Revolution Powered by Renewables
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the global cloud computing giant, is doubling down on its commitment to sustainability, focusing on decarbonizing its operations and boosting energy efficiency in its data centers. This push aligns with the Climate Pledge, co-founded by Amazon in 2019, which targets net-zero carbon emissions across operations by 2040.
Annabel Lee, Head of Policy for ASEAN at AWS, emphasized the company’s dedication to this goal: “We are constantly re-evaluating how our data centers operate, working to power them with carbon-free energy and make them more energy efficient.” This commitment extends from the smallest components to the overall design. AWS is developing its own purpose-built chips, servers, racks, and other infrastructure, prioritizing efficiency and longevity. Ms. Lee highlighted the company’s focus on building less carbon-intensive data centers “from the ground up.” Recent innovations include new components in power, cooling, and hardware design, promising significant efficiency gains in the next generation of AWS data centers.
One key area of innovation is cooling systems. AWS is implementing a more efficient cooling approach, aiming to slash mechanical energy consumption by up to 46%. This includes utilizing liquid cooling for the energy-intensive workloads associated with generative artificial intelligence (AI) and minimizing “stranded power”—energy that is available but unused or underutilized—within their servers.
AWS’s dedication to continuous innovation is particularly evident in its chip design. Ms. Lee explained that AWS Trainium chips, specifically designed for AI training, dramatically reduce training times for certain AI models from months to mere hours, while simultaneously increasing energy efficiency with each iteration. The Trainium 2 chip, for instance, boasts three times the efficiency of its predecessor, the Trainium 1, which was already 25% more efficient than comparable models.
Beyond operational efficiency, AWS is aggressively investing in carbon-free energy sources, primarily solar and wind projects, to match the electricity consumed by its operations. The company achieved its 2030 goal of powering its global operations with 100% renewable energy in 2023—a remarkable seven years ahead of schedule. This achievement is powered by investments in over 600 renewable energy projects globally.
Citing the “Southeast Asia Green Economy Report 2023: Cracking the Code,” Ms. Lee emphasized the significant opportunity for climate action in Thailand and Southeast Asia, particularly in the energy and natural resources sectors, which account for the lion’s share of the region’s emissions reduction targets. She highlighted Thailand’s potential to expand its renewable energy mix through initiatives such as encouraging corporate procurement of renewable energy, developing cross-border energy grids, and modernizing existing energy infrastructure. AWS is eager to collaborate with both industry players and governments in the region to support these goals.
The company is also actively promoting the intersection of digital technologies and sustainability by empowering businesses to leverage cloud technology for innovative sustainability solutions. A prime example is Energy Response Co Ltd, a Thai startup utilizing AWS to develop AI-driven solutions for optimizing energy efficiency in large buildings and factories across Asia.
To further bolster corporate renewable energy adoption, AWS is partnering with organizations like the Asia Clean Energy Coalition to advocate for supportive regulatory frameworks. These frameworks should incentivize diverse and affordable renewable energy purchasing options, facilitate direct procurement between suppliers and corporate consumers, and establish transparent certification systems for Renewable Energy Certificates. Ms. Lee stressed the importance of corporate renewable energy investments, which already constitute a significant portion of new renewable energy projects globally and are crucial for accelerating Southeast Asia’s transition to clean energy. These investments not only contribute capital but also stimulate green job creation and the growth of domestic clean energy industries without burdening taxpayers.
Recognizing the regulatory hurdles in some regions that prevent direct procurement of renewable energy, AWS is working with policymakers to amend these policies. The company advocates for comprehensive energy policies that encompass transmission planning, grid expansion, and streamlined interconnection processes to facilitate the integration of renewable resources while ensuring grid reliability. This holistic approach, combining technological innovation with policy advocacy and strategic partnerships, underscores AWS’s commitment to leading the charge toward a sustainable future.
