Last Updated on September 26, 2026 by Jeff Tomas
BANGKOK – Citi Thailand and Citi Issuer Services recently hosted ‘Data Centre Day’, an executive forum attended by more than 120 senior delegates from across the digital infrastructure, energy, and financial ecosystems.
The seminar featured key industry speakers and panelists who shared expert insights on the financing structures, capital management, and renewable energy integration required to support Thailand’s growing data centre sector.
With data centre investment applications in Thailand surpassing THB 1 trillion in the first quarter of 2026[1], the country has emerged as a prime digital infrastructure destination in ASEAN. As Thailand navigates this rapid digital infrastructure boom, ensuring that data centre growth is matched by adequate renewable energy investment is critical to maintaining the country’s long-term competitiveness.
The role of banks in structuring and financing renewable energy projects is increasingly central to the industry’s continued development.
Titled “Powering Thailand’s Data Centre Boom with Renewable Energy”, discussions centred around overcoming power grid integration bottlenecks by securing renewable energy supply contracts and structuring complex cross-border financing facilities across the data centre lifecycle.
Data Centre Hub Explored
Featuring expert panelists from Baker McKenzie, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Citi Issuer Services, the first discussion on Thailand’s position as a Data Centre Hub explored the country’s competitive standing in ASEAN. Panelists highlighted the focus on scaling data centre capacity while supporting energy-focused initiatives requires clear policy guidance, robust power supply agreements, and sound collateral structures.
They further emphasized collaboration between commercial banks and multilateral institutions to facilitate long-term lending, risk-sharing, and the management of cross-border capital flows.
On building renewable infrastructure to support data centre development, subject matter experts from SCL Nishimura & Asahi, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Evolution Data Centres (EDC), and Citi Investment Banking focused on project financing structures.
Key themes included clarity on power purchase agreements (PPAs), grid wheeling charges, foreign exchange (FX) risk mitigation, and environmental efficiency benchmarks. Panelists noted an increasing demand for green bonds and sustainability-linked loans with phased KPI targets aligned to emerging regulatory mechanisms, such as Utility Green Tariff (UGT2) and Direct PPA frameworks.
Data Centres Responsibly
Citi Country Officer and Banking Head for Thailand, Narumon Chivangkur, who opened the forum said, “Data centres are central to Thailand’s digital future and regional competitiveness. Across Citi, we’re leveraging our Banking and Issuer Services businesses to provide the cross-border financing solutions this industry needs.
These solutions will enable firms to mobilize capital towards the investments required to power data centres responsibly, strengthen the national grid, and reinforce Thailand’s position as a digital hub in ASEAN.”
Ernesto Sarria, Head of Citi Issuer Services for Asia South at Citi Services, commented: “The next phase of Thailand’s data centre expansion will require closer alignment between renewable energy and project financing structures.
We are seeing a shift towards more complex, cross-border financing pools which requires an Agent and Trustee structure to manage operational risks across multiple stakeholders including sponsors and lenders. Citi Issuer Services is uniquely positioned to provide this independent oversight.”
Eugenia Tahara-Xu, ASEAN Sales Lead for Citi Issuer Services, added “As project financing structures evolve to incorporate sustainability metrics around power supply arrangements, the role of an independent Agent and Trustee becomes vital. Citi provides the critical administrative and Security Trustee architecture required to manage complex cash waterfalls via project accounts.
Our local presence and global experience also allow us to mitigate risks for both sponsors and lenders, ensuring seamless execution as Thailand builds out its digital ecosystem.”
About Citi
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States.
Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.
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