AirTrunk launches AI-ready hyperscale data centre in Johor Bahru

• Facility to accelerate innovation and energy transition in Malaysia
• First deployment of direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology in AirTrunk’s portfolio

Australian-based Asia Pacific hyperscale data centre specialist AirTrunk has joined Johor’s growing cluster of data centres by launching its flagship 150+ megawatt (MW) facility. The data centre, dubbed AirTrunk JHB1 (JHB1), commenced operations on July 30, just 18 months after the company’s initial announcement. In a statement, AirTrunk said the rapid deployment underscores its commitment to meeting Southeast Asia’s demand for hyperscale data centre capacity. The launch of JHB1 adds to Johor’s burgeoning reputation as a regional data centre hub. 

JHB1 is AirTrunk’s ninth data centre in the APJ (AsiaPacific & Japan) region and its first in Malaysia, reflecting its aggressive expansion strategy, backed by majority owner Macquarie Asset Management. JHB1’s initial phases will provide over 50MW of capacity for its large technology customers, with the potential to scale beyond 150MW to meet future demand. 

The facility in Johor Bahru spans 10.3 hectares and will service a major cloud availability zone, offering domestic and international connections to regional technology hubs, including neighbouring Singapore. Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, said, “The rapid delivery of JHB1 is a pivotal step in the adoption of AI in Malaysia and AirTrunk’s growth as a trusted partner for our customers in the APJ region.”

The data centre boasts several features aimed at maximising energy efficiency and sustainability:

• It has an industry-low design Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15, making it one of the most efficient data centres in Malaysia. (A PUE of 1.15 means that for every 1.15 watts of power used, 1 watt goes directly to running the computers. This is much better than most data centres, making it one of the greenest in Malaysia.)
• AirTrunk’s first deployment of direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology, alongside traditional indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) and high-density racks, reduced energy consumption by up to 23%.
• A solar-ready roof equipped to add over 1MW of power for this phase, potentially one of the largest onsite solar deployments for a data centre in Southeast Asia.

“JHB1 will be the most sustainable data centre in Malaysia,” Damien Spillane, AirTrunk’s Chief Technology Officer, boldly claims. Highlighting the facility’s sustainability credentials, Spillane added, “In line with our Net Zero by 2030 target, we are working with our customers to source renewable energy to match electricity consumption at the data centre.”

The company has also taken steps to support energy reliability in the region. Following an MOU signed in 2023, AirTrunk collaborated with Malaysian utility company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to connect JHB1 and advance the energy transition in the region.

Furthermore, AirTrunk recently announced the first renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreement for a data centre in Malaysia, securing 30MW of renewable energy with developer ib vogt under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Programme.

Pei Jet Lim, AirTrunk’s Head of Malaysia, emphasised the company’s commitment to the local economy: “AirTrunk is making a positive contribution to the local economy through supporting and developing local talent and delivering critical digital infrastructure. The new data centre supports the rapid growth of cloud and AI in Malaysia and aligns with the Madani Government’s initiative to establish AI hubs in the country.”

The JHB1 facility is part of AirTrunk’s expanding Asia Pacific & Japan data centre platform, which now comprises 11 data centres with a total capacity exceeding 1.4 gigawatts (GW).

As Malaysia continues to position itself as a key tech hub in the Asia Pacific & Japan region, AirTrunk’s investment and long-term commitment to the country are expected to play a crucial role in driving sustainable cloud and AI development.