Data Center Investment News — 15/03/2024
Equinix Appoints Google Cloud Executive as First Female Global CEO
Equinix announces the appointment of a former Google Cloud executive as its first female global CEO. This move marks a significant milestone for gender diversity in the tech industry and underscores Equinix’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity at the leadership level.
With more than 25 years of experience in the technology sector, Adaire Fox-Martin has led Google Cloud’s go-to-market teams globally, encompassing sales, professional services, partner ecosystem, and customer success. Prior to Google, Fox-Martin held senior global positions at some of the world’s foremost technology and software companies, notably SAP and Oracle. At SAP, she played a pivotal role as a member of the SAP Executive Board, with responsibility for Sales and Service globally, serving more than 440,000 customers.
The new CEO brings a wealth of experience in cloud computing and digital transformation, positioning Equinix for continued growth and innovation in the data center market.
Colt Acquires 10 Acres of Land in Chennai, India
Colt secures 10 acres of land in Chennai, India, signalling its expansion efforts in the region. This strategic move enables Colt to meet the increasing demand for data center services in India’s burgeoning digital economy.
Richard Wellbrock, chief commercial officer at Colt DCS, said: “We view the Indian data center market as a significant opportunity for growth and remain dedicated to supporting its development. The establishment of our new site in Chennai doubles our commitment to this market, enabling us to better facilitate the expansion of our customers into this thriving region.”
By acquiring land in Chennai, Colt aims to strengthen its presence in the market and enhance its ability to deliver scalable and reliable data center solutions to customers across India.
DC BLOX Completes HPC Upgrade of Data Center in Birmingham, Alabama
DC BLOX completes high-performance computing (HPC upgrade of its data center located in Birmingham, Alabama. The upgrade enhances the data center’s capabilities to support the growing demand for HPC and edge computing applications in the region.
It has undertaken the work in response to “surging demand for HPC applications driven by several factors, including the availability of cost-effective HPC systems based on commodity hardware, specialized processor accelerators such as GPUs, and the escalating utilization of AI/ML applications,” a DC Blox statement said.
With improved infrastructure and increased capacity, DC BLOX strengthens its position as a leading provider of data center services in the Southeastern United States.
Equinix Reveals Plan for Data Center at Former Paint Factory in Slough
Equinix unveils plans to develop a data center at a former paint factory site in Slough, United Kingdom. The project aims to repurpose the industrial site into a state-of-the-art data center facility, leveraging Equinix’s expertise in sustainable and innovative infrastructure design.
The colocation company has revealed details of its plans for the former AkzoNobel factory on Wexham Road, ahead of submitting a planning application for the facility later this year. It acquired the site in 2022 and, if the scheme is approved, said it hopes to start construction work on a three-building data center in the next three to four years.
The new data center will support the growing demand for interconnection and digital services in the UK market, further expanding Equinix’s global footprint.
DataR Breaks Ground on Hamburg Data Center
DataR, a leading data center provider, initiates construction on a new facility in Hamburg, Germany. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a significant investment in the region’s digital infrastructure.
Set on a 9,300 sqm (100,105 sq ft) site on the corner of Kellerstrasse and Hermann-Löns-Weg, the facility will offer 5MW across 4,900 sqm (52,745 sq ft) of technical space – around 600 racks. It will utilize water-and-air cooling with a target PUE between 1.08 and 1.225 A building permit was issued in spring 2023, site preparation work had already started, and completion is scheduled for the end of 2025.
The new data center aims to meet the growing demand for reliable and secure colocation services, serving businesses and organizations across various industries. DataR’s expansion underscores its commitment to supporting digital transformation and economic growth in Hamburg and beyond.
Keppel and Mitsui Fudosan Partner for Tokyo Data Center Project
Keppel Data Centres and Mitsui Fudosan announce a strategic partnership to develop a new data center project in Tokyo, Japan. The collaboration brings together Keppel’s expertise in data center design and operations with Mitsui Fudosan’s extensive real estate experience.
Christina Tan, CEO, fund management and chief investment officer of Keppel said: “The Western Tokyo data center presents a rare opportunity for Keppel to enter the Japan data center market. Under the MoU, Keppel expects to work even more closely with Mitsui Fudosan, an established property developer in Japan, to further penetrate the Japan market, in order to deliver attractive risk adjusted returns to our investors.”
The joint venture aims to address the increasing demand for data center services in Tokyo’s thriving market, catering to the needs of enterprises seeking reliable and scalable infrastructure solutions.
Airtel’s Nxtra Breaks Ground on 38MW Data Center in Lagos, Nigeria
Airtel’s Nxtra Data, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, begins construction on a new 38MW data center facility in Lagos, Nigeria. The groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone in Airtel’s expansion into the Nigerian market. The ceremony was attended by Airtel Africa’s outgoing group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, and his successor, Sunil Taldar. The facility will deliver 38MW and is expected to be live by the first quarter of 2026. The company is targeting a PUE of 1.3.
Ogunsanya said: “We strongly believe that the establishment of Nxtra Data Centers will enhance data sovereignty, security, and preservation within the continent, reflecting our commitment to make Nigeria a major hub for access to digital services as we propel Africa towards a sustainable and inclusive digital age.”
The state-of-the-art data center aims to address the growing demand for digital infrastructure in Nigeria, supporting the country’s digital transformation initiatives and fostering economic development.
Yondr Powers Up Data Center in Johor, Malaysia
Yondr Group announces the launch of a new data center facility in Johor, Malaysia, bolstering the region’s digital infrastructure.
Set on 72.8 acres of land in Johor’s Sedenak Tech Park and launched on schedule, the campus will offer 300MW at full build-out. The announcement follows an August 2023 partnership between Yondr and Tenaga Nasional Berhad, a multinational Malaysian electricity company and the largest publicly-listed power company in Southeast Asia. The partnership involves an electricity supply agreement that enables the delivery of 300MW+ IT load via a 275kV high voltage substation, when fully complete.
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet the growing demand for reliable and scalable data center services in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving digital economy. With advanced technologies and robust security measures, Yondr aims to provide businesses with the critical infrastructure needed to support their digital initiatives and drive innovation.
NTT Global Data Centers Breaks Ground for Keihanna Data Center in Japan
NTT Global Data Centers, a leading provider of data center solutions, commences construction on the Keihanna Data Center in Japan. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a significant investment in the region’s digital infrastructure.
This 30MW data center will be erected on a flat terrain in Kyoto Prefecture, positioned approximately 94 meters above sea level, boasting minimal natural disaster risk. Situated within an hour’s drive from the urban hubs of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara Prefectures, its accessibility is a strategic advantage.
The new data center aims to leverage advanced technologies and sustainable practices to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient colocation services in Japan. NTT’s expansion underscores its commitment to supporting digital innovation and economic growth in the country.