To advance the adoption of low-carbon energy by the data centre sector, Singapore-headquartered firms, Concord New Energy (CNE) and Bridge Data Centres (BDC), are collaborating to develop the republic’s first barge-based hydrogen power generation solution for AI-ready data centres.
Under an MoU signed by the Mainboard-listed CNE and BDC, both parties will jointly explore advanced power architectures which integrate renewable energy and hydrogen solutions with a focus on developing barge-based or floating hydrogen-fueled power generation systems available on a flexible and modular basis.
According to both parties, a barge-based configuration offers structural advantages well-suited to Singapore’s operating environment. These include optimisation of scarce land resources through offshore or nearshore deployment, enhanced safety risk segregation between hydrogen handling infrastructure and core data centre operations, and greater flexibility in hydrogen transport and storage leveraging Singapore’s maritime ecosystem.
The pact will also see the two firms develop scalable hydrogen supply chain frameworks covering storage, transport, and system integration to support high-density, AI-driven digital infrastructure. The alliance will also assess customised long-term power procurement structures, including renewable power purchase agreements and integrated energy storage solutions, to enhance operational flexibility and overall energy system resilience.
BDC CEO Eric Fan says: “The accelerating demand for AI-ready data centres requires new energy architectures that are resilient, scalable, and sustainable. By pioneering Singapore’s first barge-based hydrogen generation solution, we are exploring innovative models that integrate clean energy with advanced digital infrastructure.”
Joe Zhou, CEO, Global Business of CNE, says: “Singapore’s hydrogen ambitions and its position as a global maritime and energy hub create a strong foundation for piloting advanced hydrogen power solutions. Through this partnership, we aim to contribute engineering expertise and scalable system design to support the decarbonisation of AI-intensive data centre environments.”
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Developing the hydrogen ecosystem
BDC and CNE will also work with Nanyang Technological University and local partners to anchor hydrogen system engineering, talent development and supply-chain investments here in Singapore, in line with the government’s push for greener data centre growth and unlock further capacity through green energy.
These includes facilitating structured knowledge transfer and local talent development in hydrogen systems integration, renewable optimisation, and advanced energy engineering. It is also expected to support the creation of high-value jobs and specialised technical competencies in these domains.
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Other potential benefits of the pact include the establishment of a scalable offshore-integrated clean power framework that can be extended to Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding AI-driven data centre markets, as well as catalysing investment in hydrogen-related infrastructure, including storage, transport, generation assets, and associated supply chains.
Shares in CNE closed at 5.1 cents per share on Mar 2, down 0.1 cents or 1.9%.
