AirTrunk to develop second cloud and AI-ready data center in Malaysia

The new data center brings AirTrunk’s investment to A$3.5 billion, with the Malaysian platform offering 420MW for leading global tech companies.

AirTrunk has announced plans to develop its second cloud and AI-ready data centre in Malaysia. Named AirTrunk JHB2, the data center will be located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor region and will support demand from global public cloud and technology companies in the region.

The APJ hyperscale data center specialist stated the new data center will be scalable to over 270 megawatts as well as feature AirTrunk’s state-of-the-art liquid cooling technology for managing the high-density demands of AI and will ensure significant energy savings. JHB2 is designed to meet the highest standards of efficiency and security, with a low design PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.25 and multiple renewable energy options available to customers.

Like JHB1, JHB2 is strategically located in a major availability zone, provides an end-to-end cross border connectivity strategy for customers and the ability to scale their operations to match demand. The additional capacity will support Malaysia’s fast-growing digital economy and follows the establishment of the landmark Johor-Singapore special economic zone.

Malaysia continues to be a hot bed for data centers which major hyperscalers and data center providers making huge investments in the country. The country’s data center market is projected to reach US$13.57 billion by 2030. The state of Johor is particular is proving to be a strategic location to build and operate data centers, thanks to its close proximity to Singapore whereby most of the data centers are expected to support.

The Johor state government has also offered incentives and programs for the development of data centers in the state. One of it is the focus to diversify water sources whereby AirTrunk will be scoping scoping treated greywater as a recycled sustainable water supply for its campuses’ operations.

With modern data centers designed with sustainability at its core, AirTrunk recently announced one of the largest onsite solar deployments for a data center in Southeast Asia at JHB1, as well as the first renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreement for a data center for 30MW of renewable energy, under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Program.

For energy, AirTrunk is working with Malaysian utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to connect JHB2 through TNB’s Green Lane Pathway for Data Centers initiative, streamlining high-voltage electricity supply to an accelerated timeframe of 12 months. AirTrunk is also providing land for TNB to build a new substation, adding resilience to the electricity distribution system in the area.

According to Robin Khuda, AirTrunk Founder and Chief Executive Officer, as Malaysia establishes itself as a digital powerhouse, it is a privilege for AirTrunk to contribute to this growth over the long term and deliver shared benefit for the people of Malaysia.

“AirTrunk’s data centers serve as essential infrastructure that will help boost productivity and enable new products and services that can drive economic growth. We are committed to helping realize the potential of cloud and AI in Malaysia and prioritizing circularity for the benefit of society and the environment. AirTrunk is supporting local digital literacy and STEM initiatives, driving the energy transition and working to embed a sustainable water supply to make a positive impact,” said Khuda.

“AirTrunk’s new JHB2 data centre campus confirms the importance of Malaysia to AirTrunk. Combining long-term investment with high value local employment, training and social impact initiatives is central to our approach. As with JHB1, we have also continued to pioneer sustainable practices with JHB2, in line with our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2030,” added Pei Jet Lim, AirTrunk Country Head for Malaysia.

JHB2 is AirTrunk’s 12^th data centre across five APJ markets. This includes Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. The new data center adds to its hyperscale data center platform which now offers nearly 1.8 gigawatts of total capacity.