AirTrunk, a key participant in hyperscale knowledge 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 knowledge 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 sizzling on the heels of JHB1, AirTrunk’s first knowledge centre in Johor, which went stay in July 2024 with 150+ MW. Collectively, the 2 tasks 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 can 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 financial 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 knowledge centres function important infrastructure that can assist increase productiveness and allow new services and products that may drive financial progress.”
Constructed for AI and sustainability
Very similar to JHB1, JHB2 can be geared up to deal with AI workloads, due to AirTrunk’s cutting-edge liquid cooling expertise. This cooling system is meant to effectively handle high-density computing calls for whereas minimising vitality utilization.
The info centre is designed for effectivity, with a low Energy Utilization Effectiveness (PUE) ranking of 1.25 and a wide range of renewable vitality choices for purchasers. 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:
- Certainly one of Southeast Asia’s largest onsite photo voltaic installations at JHB1.
- Malaysia’s first Digital Energy Buy Settlement (VPPA) for 30MW of renewable vitality beneath 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 website inside 12 months beneath TNB’s Inexperienced Lane Pathway for Information Centres. AirTrunk can be offering land for a brand new substation, which can increase the world’s energy resilience.
Jobs, Abilities, and STEM for Malaysians
Past infrastructure, AirTrunk is investing in Malaysia’s expertise. Round 90% of its workforce is native, with staff receiving above-market salaries and profession growth alternatives. The corporate can be supporting digital literacy packages and providing STEM schooling 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 impression initiatives is central to our strategy. As with JHB1, we’ve additionally continued to pioneer sustainable practices with JHB2, in step with our dedication to attaining Internet Zero by 2030.”
Native leaders welcome the growth
The Menteri Besar of Johor, Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, mentioned: “Making certain 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. This can certainly assist in attaining the imaginative and prescient of Maju Johor by 2030.”
Rising footprint throughout Asia Pacific
With JHB2, AirTrunk’s knowledge centre portfolio grows to 12 websites throughout Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore – bringing its whole capability to almost 1.8 gigawatts (GW).
For Malaysia, this growth isn’t nearly knowledge – it’s about fuelling cloud and AI innovation whereas creating long-term advantages for the financial system, workforce, and surroundings.
See additionally: Google’s international growth: Investing in geothermal vitality in Nevada and a significant knowledge centre in Malaysia
(Picture by Pixabay)
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