View from Asia: Driving Growth, Embracing Change

Insight

Across Asia, the deal landscape is responding to the United States’ geopolitical reset, tariffs and currency volatility.

21 October 2025

Insight

A global reassessment of nuclear energy -— termed the ‘"nuclear renaissance"’ —- is reshaping energy policies in the United States and Europe. This shift is driven by energy security imperatives, volatile fossil fuel markets, and binding decarboniszation targets. In the U.S., executive actions aim to quadruple nuclear capacity to 400 GWGW by 2050 through streamlined regulations.

21 October 2025

Insight

Australia and Singapore have signed the Cross-Border Electricity Trade Framework (CBET Framework), turning years of policy intent into a practical pathway.

14 October 2025

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Australia is seeing some of its biggest deals driven by Asian investment, especially in sectors like digital infrastructure and energy. At the same time, Singapore is cementing its place as the region’s financial hub, playing a key role in the flow of global and intra-Asia investment.

01 October 2025

Insight

Across Asia, the deal landscape is responding to disruptions; the general US geopolitical reset, tariffs and currency volatility, to name a few. All are feeding into an environment where localisation and intra-Asia reliance are increasing. And where restructuring is the new M&A.

29 August 2025

Insight

In a data centre hub of Tokyo, a developer receives word from local power grid operator TEPCO: a site they’ve purchased to develop a data centre will not have the power it needs for up to 10 years.

15 August 2025

Insight

Malaysia is rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic data centre markets in Southeast Asia. In the first 10 months of 2024 alone, the country recorded an astounding US$32 billion in digital sector investments, tripling the total investments for 2023. This surge is largely driven by hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Google and Oracle, who have collectively invested US$23.3 billion to date. With its strategic proximity to Singapore, particularly Johor, and favourable policies and economic incentives, Malaysia has become a regional data centre hub. Yet with such rapid growth comes sustainability pressures. Malaysian federal and state governments are seeking to tackle these head-on.

16 July 2025

Insight

Singapore is the leading data centre hub in Asia, a title it has held for some time. It offers a stable, well-regulated and highly connected environment. With strong submarine cable infrastructure, 100% foreign ownership permitted and targeted tax incentives, Singapore remains a preferred regional base for hyperscalers and enterprise operators serving Asia. The government supports cross-border data flows and aligns closely with international standards, reinforcing its position as a top-tier digital infrastructure market.

16 July 2025

Insight

Thailand’s data centre market is relatively small compared to other APAC countries, with an estimated value of US$1.56 billion in 2024. However, it offers promising potential, supported by relatively simple regulatory frameworks and affordable capital requirements. Economic and tax incentives, including special economic zones and economic corridors, support data centre development and foreign investment through corporate tax exemptions, land ownership rights and streamlined approvals.

16 July 2025

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Japan’s data centre market was the third largest worldwide in 2024 by revenue, sitting behind only the US and China. The same year, Tokyo was the most popular market among surveyed data centre investors within APAC.

16 July 2025

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Vietnam is growing as a data centre market from a relatively low base. There is strong government support for data centre investment. Recent legislative changes provide greater certainty around foreign ownership, PPAs and the regulatory status of data centres, while strategic incentives and benefits are available including at special high- tech parks.

16 July 2025

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Australia’s data centre market is anticipated to double in size in the next five years. With its stable economy, transparent regulatory framework and high quality infrastructure, Australia is a relatively safe location for data centre investment from a legal and regulatory perspective.

16 July 2025

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Indonesia is one to watch in the APAC region for data centre growth. The draw of tax incentives and special economic zones, coupled with low barriers to foreign investment, has made it an attractive destination for investment from big global players.

16 July 2025

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China remains one of the most strategically important and tightly regulated data centre markets in Asia. Strong domestic demand - driven by AI adoption, cloud growth and digital transformation - continues to support large-scale infrastructure investment. At the same time, operators must navigate complex challenges, including strict data localisation rules, cybersecurity obligations and foreign investment restrictions.

16 July 2025

Insight

South Korea is a burgeoning hub for data centre investment. With its robust economy and reputation as a regional ‘safe haven’, it attracts strong interest from international investors, developers and operators. It presents a compelling landscape for data centre investment, particularly due to the absence of foreign investment restrictions and presence of attractive incentives.

16 July 2025

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India’s data centre industry is experiencing rapid growth. Capacity is expected to reach 1.8GW by 2027, driven by digital transformation, favourable government policies and AI adoption. For investors and operators, the market presents significant opportunities, including access to a large and growing customer base, tax and infrastructure incentives offered by various states and increasing localisation requirements across regulated sectors.

16 July 2025

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As a key financial hub of Asia, Hong Kong is an important data centre market. With ‘open door’ investment and foreign exchange policies, it stands out as a dynamic centre for technological advancement and investment.

16 July 2025

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The Philippines is a dynamic and emerging data centre market. The market was valued at US$633 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.89% to reach US$1.97 billion by 2030. The Philippines government has also been actively promoting the development of data centres through various incentives and regulatory support, positioning the country as an attractive destination for investment.

16 July 2025

Featured Insight

In pockets of Asia, corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are emerging as a transformative tool opening access to renewable energy and driving decarbonisation.

07 July 2025

Insight

Malaysia is moving towards a more sustainable energy future as it chases ambitious renewables targets, with increasing initiatives and the gradual rolling out of a liberalised electricity market. Corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) have emerged as a game-changing solution within this framework.

07 July 2025

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As one of the world’s biggest financial hubs, Hong Kong is decarbonising its economy by playing to its strengths: finance and technology. These are the ‘dual engines’ powering transformation.

05 June 2025

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For Japan's energy transition, these agreements are game-changers. In a post-Fukushima context where the country has struggled to balance energy security with decarbonisation goals, corporate PPAs provide a market-based mechanism to finance new renewable capacity outside traditional subsidy schemes. The data centre sector's entrance into this space is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses the dual challenges of powering Japan's digital economy while meeting increasingly stringent corporate environmental commitments.

03 June 2025

Insight

Vietnam has released an approved roadmap for a domestic carbon market, in a significant step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. A phased approach will see a pilot start in June 2025, working towards full implementation by 2029.

05 May 2025

Featured Insight

Across Asia, companies with any stake in AI technology are bracing for new export restrictions from the US that apply worldwide. The potentially game-changing rules cover advanced AI technology originating from the US, in a bid to control its proliferation and prevent access for some.

01 May 2025

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The latest round of American tariffs confirms that the global trade order is undergoing its biggest upheaval since the Second World War.

04 April 2025

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The world's second-largest economy could become a global leader in clean energy technologies. Already the world's largest producer of solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles, China is expanding to new industries and export opportunities. With its strong manufacturing base and increasing focus on R&D, China can innovate in areas like energy storage, smart grids and carbon capture technologies.

11 December 2024

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In October, the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan met with Prime Minister Albanese at ASEAN related summit meetings in Laos.

12 November 2024

Insight

In the first chapter of our Navigating Net Zero: APAC Climate Guide, we look to Japan. Our regional experts share their insights on the significant challenges and opportunities as Japan aims for a net-zero economy. Challenges include an ageing power grid, strict land use regulations and public opposition to renewable installations. Opportunities include renewable energy projects and hydrogen technology.

12 November 2024

Insight

In this M&A in the City Podcast from KWM, Will Heath is joined by Nicola Charlston, fresh from chairing an M&A committee meeting of the International Bar Association in Tokyo.

12 November 2024

Insight

Offshore wind-powered electricity generation offers efficient and unobtrusive renewable energy, capable of delivering scale without the land use debates characteristic of the onshore industry.

04 November 2024

Featured Insight

As the world prepares for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), a relatively overlooked area is set to increase in prominence and importance: the health and sustainable use of our oceans. Safeguarding the eco-systems of our seas will demand significant investments. It’s critical for businesses to understand the associated climate risks.

31 October 2024

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From 8 to 10 October 2024, the Australian and New South Wales governments co-hosted the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit (Summit) in Sydney, which KWM attended.

15 October 2024

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In 2023, the Sapporo 5 (a strategic partnership between the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom) agreed to collaborate to develop a secure and resilient global nuclear supply chain.

16 September 2024

Featured Insight

As the world transforms to net zero emissions and undergoes the most significant changes since the industrial revolution, the Federal Government’s decarbonisation plan aims to make Australia an indispensable part of the global economy.

13 September 2024

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Consumer energy resources (CERs) are consumer-owned devices that generate, store, or manage electricity.

05 September 2024

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Johor sits at the southern tip of Malaysia, minutes away from neighbouring Singapore. Lesser known than the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, and less developed than its most populous state of Selangor, Johor – and its capital Johor Bahru – are rapidly rising in prominence.

29 August 2024

Insight

We talk a lot about global carbon trading markets – yet relatively little about the mechanism by which countries trade emissions reductions. That mechanism - Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) – is a strategic tool for nations to not only comply with their climate commitments but also to leverage their carbon sink resources effectively.

26 August 2024