How Cummins Is Powering APAC’ s Hyperscale Expansion
Cummins’ Craig Wilkins on securing power certainty for data centre operators as AI drives unprecedented demand across Asia-Pacific
Data centre developers are locking in power infrastructure earlier than ever. As AI and hyperscale growth increase, electricity demand across Asia-Pacific data centre operators are engaging power partners earlier in the development cycle. In an exclusive interview with Data Centre Magazine, Craig Wilkins, APAC Power Generation Director at Cummins, discusses how the company has moved from equipment supplier to end-toend partner, supporting customers from the earliest design stages through to decades of aftermarket support.
“ The challenge for us and our customers isn’ t just generating power, it’ s about helping customers secure certainty in an increasingly constrained energy environment,” Craig says.
“ We find ourselves now involved in design and planning much earlier in the cycle, to make sure we get the right technology for the right site, for the right application.”
How is Cummins helping customers navigate power grid pressures across APAC?
With power availability tightening across the region’ s fastest-growing markets, including Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand,
Australia and Indonesia, behind-the-meter generation has become central to Cummins’ offering.
“ We do behind-the-meter generation and we make sure we support customers with what they need”, Craig explains.
“ Microgrids, natural gas, diesel, there’ s a range of different technologies that we offer to make sure that we get the customer the right fuel source for the right application.”
How does Cummins support customers across the full project lifecycle?
Cummins’ involvement spans from initial specification through to installation, commissioning and longterm servicing. Aftermarket support is treated by Cummins as a core part of its business.
“ It’ s not about supplying the product, then we walk away and somebody else takes care of it”, Craig says.
“ We’ re there before the first drawing is completed, and we’ re there long after the facility goes live, in 10 or 15, 20 years’ time.”
He points to long lead times now associated with generator equipment as a reason early engagement matters, alongside close coordination on manufacturing and supply chains.