French energy technology company Schneider Electric plans to open a Southeast Asia training centre in Malaysia this year, as rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure drives higher energy needs across the region.
The expansion comes as Southeast Asia’s data centre capacity is projected to triple by 2030, with Malaysia emerging as a key hub following major investments from global tech companies including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
Malaysia also plays a significant role in the global semiconductor industry, accounting for around 13% of worldwide testing and packaging activity.
Schneider Electric said the rapid growth of AI is increasing pressure on industries to improve energy efficiency and power management, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as data centres and semiconductor manufacturing.
The planned training centre will focus on providing technical skills and hands-on training for the company’s partners and customers across the region. It will cover technologies ranging from medium-voltage energy management systems to data centre solutions.
Schneider Electric added that AI adoption is also supporting its own growth, as its equipment is widely used in server infrastructure, power systems and cooling solutions required for high-performance computing facilities.
The company is also incorporating AI into its own energy management tools, including predictive systems that help optimise power usage, such as adjusting cooling systems based on weather conditions.
These technologies can help reduce energy consumption by around 2% to 3%, which is significant for large-scale facilities like data centres and semiconductor plants.
