AirTrunk, a key participant in hyperscale information centres in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), is stepping up its dedication to Malaysia.
The corporate has unveiled plans for JHB2, its second cloud and AI-ready information centre in Johor’s Iskandar Puteri area. As soon as totally constructed, JHB2 will ship over 270 megawatts (MW) of capability, catering to the rising calls for of worldwide cloud suppliers and tech corporations within the area.
This announcement comes scorching on the heels of JHB1, AirTrunk’s first information centre in Johor, which went stay in July 2024 with 150+ MW. Collectively, the 2 initiatives characterize a RM9.7 billion (A$3.5 billion) funding, bringing AirTrunk’s whole capability in Malaysia to over 420MW.
Supporting Malaysia’s digital and financial progress
JHB2 might be constructed inside a key availability zone and can supply cross-border connectivity, permitting prospects to scale seamlessly throughout Malaysia and Singapore. The undertaking aligns properly with Malaysia’s fast-growing digital economic system and the Johor-Singapore Particular Financial Zone (JS-SEZ), which goals to strengthen regional cooperation and enterprise progress.
AirTrunk’s founder and CEO, Robin Khuda, mentioned: “As Malaysia establishes itself as a digital powerhouse, it’s a privilege for AirTrunk to contribute to this progress over the long run and ship shared profit for the individuals of Malaysia. AirTrunk’s information centres function important infrastructure that can assist enhance productiveness and allow new services and products that may drive financial progress.”
Constructed for AI and sustainability
Very like JHB1, JHB2 might be geared up to deal with AI workloads, because of AirTrunk’s cutting-edge liquid cooling know-how. This cooling system is meant to effectively handle high-density computing calls for whereas minimising vitality utilization.
The information centre is designed for effectivity, with a low Energy Utilization Effectiveness (PUE) score of 1.25 and quite a lot of renewable vitality choices for shoppers. Sustainability stays a key focus, with AirTrunk exploring the usage of handled greywater as a part of Johor’s push to diversify its water sources.
Inexperienced vitality and internet zero ambitions
AirTrunk is critical about lowering its carbon footprint. The corporate is working in direction of its Internet Zero 2030 goal and has already taken notable steps:
- One in every of Southeast Asia’s largest onsite photo voltaic installations at JHB1.
- Malaysia’s first Digital Energy Buy Settlement (VPPA) for 30MW of renewable vitality underneath the Company Inexperienced Energy Programme.
JHB2 will proceed this inexperienced momentum, with AirTrunk partnering with Malaysia’s nationwide utility firm, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Collectively, they’re fast-tracking high-voltage energy provide to the brand new web site inside 12 months underneath TNB’s Inexperienced Lane Pathway for Information Centres. AirTrunk can also be offering land for a brand new substation, which is able to enhance the world’s energy resilience.
Jobs, Expertise, and STEM for Malaysians
Past infrastructure, AirTrunk is investing in Malaysia’s expertise. Round 90% of its workforce is native, with workers receiving above-market salaries and profession improvement alternatives. The corporate can also be supporting digital literacy packages and providing STEM training scholarships at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to develop future tech expertise.
Pei Jet Lim, AirTrunk’s nation head for Malaysia, mentioned: “Combining long-term funding with excessive worth native employment, coaching and social affect initiatives is central to our method. As with JHB1, we now have additionally continued to pioneer sustainable practices with JHB2, in keeping with our dedication to attaining Internet Zero by 2030.”
Native leaders welcome the enlargement
The Menteri Besar of Johor, Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, mentioned: “Guaranteeing excessive worth employment and coaching alternatives, like these supplied by AirTrunk, alongside the financial contribution of digital infrastructure additionally ensures a optimistic legacy for Johor. It will absolutely assist in attaining the imaginative and prescient of Maju Johor by 2030.”
Rising footprint throughout Asia Pacific
With JHB2, AirTrunk’s information centre portfolio grows to 12 websites throughout Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore – bringing its whole capability to just about 1.8 gigawatts (GW).
For Malaysia, this enlargement isn’t nearly information – it’s about fuelling cloud and AI innovation whereas creating long-term advantages for the economic system, workforce, and atmosphere.
See additionally: Google’s international enlargement: Investing in geothermal vitality in Nevada and a significant information centre in Malaysia
(Picture by Pixabay)
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