NESDC pushes for Data Center Policy Board chair appointment

Prachachat•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The NESDC is proposing the appointment of a Data Center Policy Board chairperson to establish regulations managing water and electricity resources.

•The NESDC has submitted a proposed name for the chairperson of the Data Center Policy Board to the Prime Minister.
•Water usage is identified as the most significant problem affecting households and other industries.
•Existing laws are insufficient as some data centers are currently permitted as warehouses.

•The NESDC has submitted a candidate name for the chairperson of the Data Center Policy Board to the Prime Minister for signature.
•The Data Center Policy Board will hold meetings to establish regulatory criteria covering project consideration, construction, and operation.
•Regulatory measures are necessary because data centers consume high volumes of electricity and water, which may impact households and other industries.
•Current data center oversight in Thailand is fragmented across multiple agencies including those handling investment, urban planning, buildings, energy, and water.
•Ms. Worawan Plikaminn noted that some projects apply for construction permits as warehouses despite having different energy needs and usage patterns.
•The NESDC suggests developing a central database for project locations and resource usage and implementing Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA).
•The government aims to encourage Thai entrepreneurs to enter the value chain for cooling systems, electrical equipment, and network devices.

Full article content is available on the original source.

National Economic and Social Development Council(สภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ)

The agency, also known as NESDC, proposing the appointment of the Data Center Policy Board chair and regulatory frameworks.

NESDC(สภาพัฒน์)

Short name for the National Economic and Social Development Council.

Data Center Business Policy Board(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการประกอบกิจการดาต้าเซ็นเตอร์)

The board responsible for establishing criteria to oversee data center investments.

Board of Investment(คณะกรรมการส่งเสริมการลงทุน)

The agency, also known as BOI, where data center businesses may apply for investment promotion.

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission(คณะกรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The agency, also known as NBTC, where data center businesses may apply for licenses if not seeking BOI promotion.

Office of the National Water Resources(สำนักงานทรัพยากรน้ำแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The agency, also known as ONWR, consulted by the NESDC regarding water resource management.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment(กระทรวงทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)ℹ️

The ministry consulted regarding environmental impacts of data centers.

Energy Management Subcommittee(คณะอนุกรรมการจัดการพลังงาน)

A government body established to screen data center projects based on four dimensions including national benefit and resource sufficiency.

Danucha Pichayanan(ดนุชา พิชยนันท์)

Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council.

Worawan Plikaminn(วรวรรณ พลิคามิน)

Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council.

Rama 9(พระรามเก้า)ℹ️

An area where some old buildings have been demolished to be converted into data centers.

United States(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

A country where data center expansion is linked to increased employment and wages.

Loudoun Countyℹ️

A location in Virginia, USA, where data centers serve as a key revenue source for community development.

Netherlands(เนเธอแลนด์)ℹ️

A country where data centers use approximately 84 million liters of raw water per year for cooling.

Ireland(ไอร์แลนด์)ℹ️

A country where data center electricity usage is approximately 21% of the total national consumption.