A Malaysian power company, through its subsidiary, alongside a tech conglomerate headquartered in Singapore, held a ground-breaking ceremony for the development of the Sea Data Centre, the first phase of the 500MW YTL Green Data Center Park and an RM1.5 billion investment into Johor, Malaysia. The first phase will be a Tier III certified facility equipped with best-in-class green power and connectivity which will be able to accommodate up to 72MW of capacity.
With the power company’s expertise and experience in building and managing data centres’ fibre infrastructure and renewable energy, the Data Center Park will be the largest of its kind regionally, spearheading Johor’s position as a world-class data hub.
Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who officiated the event commented on how the Green Data Center Park will impact the state, “As Johor has grown exponentially over the past few years, we welcome developments such as these, particularly green and sustainable projects that will boost the state’s economy. The digital economy has thrived since the pandemic, and this project will provide employment opportunities that will attract diverse multiskilled talents to the state, making Johor attractive to foreign direct investments. Importantly, we are proud that Johor is gaining momentum in the regional data centre market where YTL DC plays an important role in the value chain.”
Also, present to witness the event was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Development) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. She noted that today’s companies are urged to embrace digitalisation as such advances enable businesses to innovate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. The establishment of such data centres will push industry aspirations further.
She added that the event is a testament to Malaysia’s capability to host such projects due to its advancements in digital infrastructure. With the combined efforts from the Government through the MyDIGITAL blueprint and the establishment of the Digital Investment Office (DIO), it will allow Malaysia to realise the vision of being the digital capital of Asia, a vibrant and leading-edge location for companies to meet their data management and analysis needs in a sustainable manner.
With the Singaporean tech giant serving as an anchor tenant for the Data Center Green Park, the new three-storey green facility will help reduce its carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. Targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2024, the green building will feature 24 data hall suites, M&E rooms, office space, storage, and parking facilities.
The firm’s Co-Founder Group Chief Operating Officer stated that this means that the company will be able to meet the infrastructure, power, and connectivity needs of its operations in the region, with Johor’s state government and MIDA as our key expansion partners. The company is committed to investing in the growth of the digital economy in Malaysia, and Johor in particular, and contributing to Malaysia’s Digital Economy Agenda, he said.
Meanwhile, the Managing power company stated that this marks a new phase of partnership with the Singaporean tech firm. Through it, the power company will be able to provide world-class, green infrastructure to its partners using its deep expertise in solar energy, data centres, telecommunications, construction and property development.
The new Park is expected to be a catalyst for the digital infrastructure in Johor. Not only will it transform Johor’s economy by tapping into new high-growth areas, but it is also expected to spur the local economy by creating a conducive, productive and competitive business environment which will further improve the social well-being and quality of life for Malaysians.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives from various state and federal organisations, including the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as well as other distinguished guests.
Earlier this April, the power company announced the development of the 275-acre data centre campus in Kulai, the largest data centre park in Malaysia.
