AirTrunk Expands with Second State-of-the-Art Data Center in Johor

AirTrunk, a leading data center operator, has unveiled plans to build a second data center in Malaysia, located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. This new facility, named JHB2, will be scalable to more than 270 megawatts (MW) and will bring AirTrunk’s total investment in Malaysia to RM 9.7 billion (approximately $2.2 billion). The new data center will play a key role in supporting Malaysia’s rapidly growing digital economy by offering vital infrastructure for cloud services, AI, and digital transformation.

JHB2 will feature advanced liquid cooling technology, designed to meet an energy efficiency target known as Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.25 (we will go into this in more detail in a future post). This ensures optimal energy use while keeping operational costs low. The facility will also offer multiple renewable energy options, helping customers transition to greener and more sustainable practices. However, additional specifications of the JHB2 facility are yet to be disclosed.

The JHB2 announcement follows AirTrunk’s earlier launch of its first Malaysian facility, JHB1, in July 2024. The JHB1 data center offers 21,900 square meters (235,750 square feet) of space and can accommodate over 150MW of capacity across 20 data halls. This rapid expansion is part of AirTrunk's strategy to contribute to Malaysia's growing digital landscape, reinforcing its role in the country’s economic development.

Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Malaysia's cloud and AI potential while integrating sustainability through circularity principles. As part of its sustainability efforts, AirTrunk has deployed onsite solar energy at JHB1 and signed a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) for 30MW of renewable energy as part of Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Program.

Additionally, AirTrunk is collaborating with Malaysian utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to connect JHB2 to the Green Lane Pathway for Data Centres initiative, which will streamline electricity supply to data centers, enabling faster connections. TNB will also build a new substation on the site, further strengthening the facility's power infrastructure.

AirTrunk’s expansion into Johor aligns with the growing demand for data centers in the region. Johor is quickly becoming a hotspot for data center investments, with several other major players, including Keppel, Princeton Digital, STT GDC, Yondr, and Equinix, establishing a presence in the area.

Founded in 2018, AirTrunk now operates 12 facilities across Australia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The company has a hyperscale platform that provides nearly 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of total capacity. In September 2023, Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired AirTrunk for $16.1 billion, marking one of the largest deals in the data center industry.

This continued growth in Malaysia reflects AirTrunk’s vision to be a critical player in supporting digital infrastructure, both locally and globally, while advancing environmental sustainability and technological innovation.

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