Inside APAC’s Data Center Expansion

Asia-Pacific is becoming one of the most exciting and complex regions for data center development. With countries racing to build out digital infrastructure, demand for skilled professionals is soaring. But power constraints, regulatory challenges, and talent shortages threaten to slow progress. 

Kayleigh Regan, Executive Director for APAC at LVI Associates, provides expert insights into the factors influencing data center hiring across the region, from Malaysia to Japan and key markets in between. 

Government standardisation and support 

As demand for data storage and processing intensifies, several APAC governments have started to play a more active role in enabling data center development. One standout example is Malaysia. 

“The Malaysian government has introduced new guidelines to standardize and streamline the approval process for data center builds,” Kayleigh explains. “This is a significant step forward for the industry — it reduces red tape and gives developers more confidence to invest.” 

In emerging APAC markets, government support can be a game-changer. Data centers require complex coordination between energy regulators, land use authorities, and environmental agencies. Clearer frameworks can accelerate timelines and open the door to new international investment. Kayleigh adds:  

“We’re seeing more collaboration between public and private sectors, particularly in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. This alignment is crucial if the region wants to compete with more mature markets in the US or Europe.” 

The APAC power crunch 

Power supply issues are not exclusive to the US or Europe — APAC is facing similar constraints, and in some areas, they’re even more acute. 

“Mirroring the US, we are facing power challenges across the entire APAC region,” says Kayleigh. “This is particularly critical in urban areas where demand is high, and grid capacity is limited.” 

In cities like Tokyo, Sydney, and Singapore, the combination of growing digital demand and space constraints is creating bottlenecks. These delays not only affect project timelines but can significantly increase costs and risk. 

“The infrastructure simply isn’t scaling fast enough to keep up with demand,” Kayleigh explains. “And that’s forcing companies to either delay expansion or look at creative alternatives — like modular builds, renewable integration, or edge computing.” 

APAC’s fastest rising data center hotspot 

Among APAC countries, Malaysia is attracting considerable attention as a data center hotspot. 

“Malaysia stands out due to its combination of land availability, low labour costs, and a government that is supportive of development,” Kayleigh says. “It’s one of the easiest places in the region to get a project off the ground right now.” 

Developers are particularly drawn to Johor and Cyberjaya, where infrastructure is already in place and approval processes are fast. The region is also benefiting from the overflow of demand from Singapore, where land and power constraints are more severe. “Many organizations that initially focused on Singapore are now looking to Malaysia as a practical and scalable alternative,” Kayleigh adds. 

Skill shortages hitting critical levels 

While regional development is booming, the pace of construction is increasingly constrained by a lack of qualified professionals. 

“There’s a growing shortage of skilled talent across APAC — especially in engineering and project delivery,” says Kayleigh. “It’s creating project delays, increasing costs, and in some cases, forcing companies to look outside the region for expertise.” 

In particular, there is an urgent need for project managers, especially in countries with a high volume of new builds such as Japan, Singapore, and Australia, according to Kayleigh: 

“Project managers who can oversee large-scale construction or retrofits are in extremely high demand. We’re also seeing increased appetite for those who bring both technical knowledge and stakeholder management experience,  because the ability to coordinate across governments, utilities, and clients is crucial.” 

Other roles in high demand across the region include: 

• Electrical engineers – for power systems design, grid integration, and energy management 
• Mechanical engineers – especially those familiar with advanced cooling systems 
• Operations and maintenance professionals – to manage uptime and service levels post-construction 
• Health & safety and compliance experts – given the complexity of regulations across APAC markets 

Technical skills in demand: Engineering takes the lead 

In a region as diverse as APAC, the list of in-demand skills can vary significantly between countries. But according to Kayleigh, one trend is consistent: 

“Electrical engineering is probably number one on the list of skills in demand, with mechanical engineering a close second,” she says. “And I don’t see that changing any time soon.” 

As facilities grow more complex and demand more power, the technical bar is being raised. Employers are looking for professionals with hands-on experience in: 

• High-voltage systems 
• Power usage effectiveness (PUE) optimisation 
• Liquid cooling technology 
• Sustainable and modular infrastructure 

“In many cases, these roles are becoming more specialized,” Kayleigh notes. “Companies want engineers who not only understand the theory, but who can execute on large-scale projects under tight timeframes.” 

Building the right commercial teams 

Beyond engineering, leadership and commercial hiring is also increasing. 

“Lots of companies are building out new divisions or entering new markets, and that means bringing in professionals with regional experience who can lead teams and drive performance,” says Kayleigh. 

“Sales roles are particularly valuable in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, where competition for client contracts is intense. It’s not just about having a technical product, you need someone who can build relationships, navigate contracts, and convert opportunities.” 

Because of these demands, many companies are investing in leadership training, succession planning, and even cross-border talent relocation to fill gaps. 

What makes a candidate stand out 

According to Kayleigh, employers are prioritizing candidates who offer a mix of regional experience, technical expertise, and adaptability. 

“Being able to work across multiple APAC markets, and understand their unique regulatory or cultural environments, is a big advantage. Language skills and cross-cultural fluency are also increasingly valued”, explains Kayleigh 

Additionally, familiarity with ESG requirements and sustainability standards is becoming more important, especially for candidates working on large or publicly funded projects and soft skills are also rising in importance. 

Hiring data center talent with speed and accuracy 

With talent shortages growing, employers across APAC are having to rethink their hiring strategies. 

“We’re seeing top candidates pulled into multiple interview processes at once,” says Kayleigh. “If you delay, you risk missing out entirely.” She advises companies to streamline decision-making, clarify job specs upfront, and consider flexible working or relocation support where appropriate: “In this market, being proactive is not optional it’s essential.” 

Securing Talent in APAC 

At LVI Associates, we work with some of the region’s most ambitious developers, operators, and engineering consultancies to connect them with top talent. 

Whether you’re expanding into a new country, launching a greenfield project, or building out a high-performing team, we can help you secure the professionals who will make it a success. 

Request a call back to speak with one of our APAC data center hiring specialists and find out how we can support your strategic hiring needs.