Oct 24 (Reuters) - Singapore's Keppel said on

Thursday it plans to more than double its data centre funds

under management and expand its capacity, as the firm tries to

tap into the artificial intelligence frenzy, driving digital

infrastructure investment.

Keppel said it aims to more than double its data centre FUM,

from the current S$9 billion ($6.80 billion) to S$19 billion in

the near-term.

It aims to expand its data centre portfolio to 1.2 gigawatt

(GW) gross power capacity in the near term from current 650

megawatt (MW) capacity.

The growing adoption of artificial intelligence by firms to

streamline operations has led to a hike in demand for digital

infrastructure required to support the development of AI

technologies.

The Asia-Pacific region has seen a rise in data centre

investments in recent times with Blackstone-led

consortium acquiring larger data centre group AirTrunk for $16

billion in early September.

Keppel already have access to power, technological

understanding, strong customer relationships with hyperscalers -

large-scale computing service providers - as well as multiple

pools of capital to expand its data centre power capacity.

The company has a portfolio of 35 data centres across key

data hubs in Asia-Pacific and Europe, and is also involved in

digital infrastructure projects such as the Bifrost Cable

System, a subsea cable system directly connecting Singapore to

the west coast of North America.

Separately, the global asset manager reported a largely

unchanged underlying net profit for the nine months ended Sept.

30 compared with last year.

Its recurring income jumped 14% from last year, underpinned

by higher contributions from both asset management and operating

income.

Keppel said its infrastructure division aims to double its

energy supply to 3.0 GW by 2030 and expand its cooling business.

($1 = 1.3227 Singapore dollars)