Google is considering building a data centre in Vietnam, according to Reuters. The centre would be ‘hyperscale’ which means it could cost up to US$650 million. The publication also suggests that it could use as much power as a small city.
Of note, electricity is relatively cheap in Vietnam. The average world electricity price is about 15.5 US cents per kilowatt-hour, however, electricity in Vietnam runs at about 7.2 US cents per kilowatt-hour. That said, power shortages and blackouts across northern Vietnam in 2023 cost the economy around US$1.4 billion by one World Bank estimate.
This is likely to be a key challenge for the company if it is to go ahead.
See also: How to Open a Data Centre in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide 2024