Average PUE numbers for data centers across the APAC region are stuck above 2 with many operators remaining unfamiliar with the Power Usage Effectiveness metric. Despite this operators across the region who have expansion plans in 2013 and 2014 claim they are confident or very confident they could comply with potential energy use or carbon emission regulations.

In Singapore 78% of 100 respondents said they plan to expand their data centers this year with most opting to expand in more than one location. And while most (82%) said they were extremely confident or confident about operating within potential regulations about energy use and carbon emission targets the average PUE was reported at 2.61, with 24% reporting a PUE of 3 or more. Eleven per cent said they were unfamiliar with PUE.
In Japan the study found that the average reported PUE is 2.2 but that 29% admitted to not knowing their PUE.

Japanese respondents revealed 75% of companies have three or fewer data centers but 15% operate six or more. Only half of the companies in Japan were confident or very confident that would comply with future energy or carbon regulations. Of those planning to expand (57%) consolidation, redundancy and security were given as reasons at an expected density of 5.3kW per rack. 82% said their expanded or new facilities would be located in Japan.

The Hong Kong portion of the study revealed a lower power density at 4.8kW per rack, found 82% meter power use, usually at the PDU or server and that the average reported PUE is 2.42 with just 4% saying they were unfamiliar or didn’t know their PUE. Of those with expansion plans in 2013 nine from ten expect to meet future energy (90%) and carbon (86%) regulations.

The same percentage say they plan to expand in 2013 only 9% say their plans are definite.

In Australia the average PUE is 2.25 with 13% not knowing their PUE number. Average power per rack is 5.0kW.

In a web based survey commissioned by Digital Realty Trust security and disaster recovery are the prime drivers for planned data center expansion across the APAC region according to research.

The firm said it found the trend is toward more efficient data centers with less raised floor space (13,300 square feet /1,235 square metres on average, compared to 14,800 square feet / 1,375 square metres in last year's survey) and constant power densities (an average requirement of 5.0 kW per rack, compared to 5.1 kW per rack a year ago).

A majority of respondents (83%) indicated that they plan to expand their data centers in either 2013 or 2014. Increased security was the most important reason given for data centre expansion, followed by disaster recovery.

Two-thirds of respondents would rather see the data center in the country where they work. The most popular target locations cited were Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney.

Kris Kumar, regional head of Asia Pacific at Digital Realty, said: "Customer demand is being fuelled by similar trends we are seeing in other parts of the world. Our customers' need improved security, especially in light of the trends towards cloud, virtualization, and an increased reliance on critical IT systems."

The study is based on surveys of 401 IT decision makers at large corporations with annual revenues of at least US$500M and/or at least 500 employees (at least 2,000 employees for Singapore). It was conducted in January 2013.