How Prysmian's Innovation is Aiding APAC's Data Centre Boom

As the Asia-Pacific region races ahead in its digital and energy transitions, Prysmian is reinforcing its regional presence to support the growing electrical backbone that enables high-performance, AI-ready data centres.

With more than 50 years of continuous operations in Singapore, the cable systems leader is expanding its capabilities to meet escalating demand for power density, grid reliability and sustainable energy infrastructure.

"We are working in Europe, in LatAm and APAC to become more relevant, to become more engaged with the go-to-market, with a proper supply chain to win more share in the data centre space," Massimo Battaini, CEO of Prysmian, told investors in a recent earnings call.

Prysmian’s portfolio spans power grids, renewable energy systems and digital networks, sectors that increasingly converge as electricity demand surges in support of data-driven economies.

Across Southeast Asia, where hyperscale operators are scaling up to meet AI workloads, high-efficiency cabling and smart power solutions are becoming essential for resilient and cost-effective infrastructure.

How AI's growth is reshaping energy requirements

The rise of energy-intensive AI data centres is transforming power system design. These facilities often require double the electrical capacity of traditional sites, along with stable thermal management and advanced grid integration to support continuous high-load operation.

At the same time, supply constraints on raw materials, particularly copper, are adding stress to global value chains. Price increases across core electronic components and wiring systems reflect a wider challenge: how to deliver sustainable electrification under mounting resource pressure.

For developers and operators alike, this has accelerated the search for energy solutions that optimise consumption and material efficiency. Cabling lies at the centre of this effort, influencing everything from voltage stability to energy losses and build economics.

Advancing grid-smart cable technologies

Prysmian continues to innovate around power system efficiency, developing cable technologies designed to enhance energy transfer while reducing the material footprint.

In Southeast Asia, the company has launched a new-generation power cable that delivers equivalent transmission performance using less copper and a slimmer profile.

Already deployed in major installations overseas, the cable’s optimised insulating and sheathing materials allow it to operate safely at up to 110 degrees Celsius, compared to the industry norm of 90 degrees.

Discussing Prysmian’s partnership with Relativity Networks, Frederick Persson, Executive Vice President of Digital Solutions, said: “Prysmian has long been a global champion in setting the standard in the field of fibre optics, and our cutting-edge solutions are always evolving to meet the demands of our customers.

“This, combined with Relativity Networks’ technology, will enable both our companies to lead the global market for hollow-core fiber well into the future – a hugely significant area of focus as we work to accelerate in order to meet the demands emerging from data centres and AI applications worldwide."

By optimising copper use, Prysmian not only reduces carbon intensity in production but also eases exposure to volatile material costs. The lighter, more flexible designs simplify logistics and installation while increasing spatial efficiency—crucial advantages for dense, power-hungry sites.

Driving efficiency and electrification speed

In urban and high-growth markets, energy efficiency and rapid deployment are key to keeping pace with AI infrastructure demand. Prysmian’s latest cable systems are engineered for ease of installation—shortening construction timelines and supporting phased or modular energy rollouts.

This is particularly important in Southeast Asia, where energy and data capacity must be expanded in tandem. Prysmian’s Rayong facility in Thailand, dedicated to low-voltage cable production, reinforces regional electrification efforts, complementing its Singapore base as a logistics and engineering hub.

Together, these sites enable faster delivery and localised energy project support.

Supporting the regional energy transition

Prysmian’s capability to serve Asia-Pacific energy needs stems from its global footprint – 107 plants, 27 R&D centres and more than 33,000 employees worldwide. The group reported 2024 revenues exceeding €17bn (US$20.2bn), with growing exposure to power transmission and digital infrastructure markets.

Singapore remains at the centre of the company’s Asia-Pacific operations, supporting regional grid modernisation with advanced medium- and low-voltage solutions.

Beyond its data centre work, Prysmian is contributing to early-stage cross-border energy projects that could enhance interconnectivity and regional grid stability – a critical enabler for sustained digital growth.

Aligning electrification with sustainability goals

Sustainability underpins Prysmian’s product roadmap and corporate strategy. With a target for 55% of revenue to derive from sustainable products by 2028, and a Net Zero target by 2035, the company is aligning cable innovation directly with decarbonisation goals.

For energy and data centre operators alike, this alignment translates into tangible efficiency benefits – reduced material inputs, lower transmission losses and improved lifecycle performance.

As AI-led electrification reshapes Asia-Pacific’s energy landscape, Prysmian’s mix of local capability, energy-efficient design and sustainable materials positions it at the forefront of the region’s digital-energy transformation.