Data Center Investment News — 31/05/2024
Microsoft and G42 Announce $1bn Investment in Kenya for AI Data Centre Project
Microsoft and G42 have announced a joint $1 billion investment to establish an AI data center in Kenya. This significant project aims to bolster Kenya’s digital infrastructure, enhancing its capabilities in artificial intelligence and data processing. The investment is part of a broader initiative to drive technological advancements and support digital transformation across Africa.
Kenyan President William Ruto, said: “This partnership is bigger than technology itself. It is about coming together of three countries with a common vision of a nation empowered by technology, where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive in the global digital landscape. It’s about building a future where Kenya flourishes as a digital leader. In the spirit of mutual growth and shared prosperity, this LOI is a stepping stone toward a brighter, more connected and digitally empowered future for the USA, Kenya and the UAE. It embodies our collective aspiration to bridge the digital divide, accelerate technological innovation, and pave the way for a thriving digital economy that benefits the entire African continent and beyond.”
The data center is expected to provide advanced AI services and solutions, fostering innovation and economic growth in the region. This development underscores Kenya’s strategic position as a growing technology hub in Africa and highlights the increasing focus on AI and cloud computing in the continent.
Vantage Breaks Ground on First Japanese Data Center in Osaka
Vantage Data Centers has commenced the construction of its first data center in Japan, located in Osaka. This new facility marks Vantage’s entry into the Japanese market, aiming to cater to the growing demand for data storage and processing services in the region.
The first data center will provide 28MW of IT capacity and is scheduled to be operational by early 2026. Other details have not been shared. “This groundbreaking marks our first campus in Osaka and entrance into the robust data center market in Japan. Vantage is pleased to provide critical IT infrastructure to support Japan’s digitalization powered by cloud and AI innovations,” said Raymond Tong, president of Vantage APAC.
The Osaka data center is expected to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure, supporting various industries with high-performance computing needs. This expansion is part of Vantage’s global strategy to increase its presence in key markets and deliver scalable data center solutions to its clients.
Cologix Completes Work on COL4 Data Center in Columbus, Ohio
Cologix has announced the completion of its COL4 data center in Columbus, Ohio. The new facility is designed to meet the increasing demand for data storage and connectivity in the region.
“Over 10 years ago, we recognized Columbus’ importance as a technology hub for growing companies and decided to enter this market,” said Dawn Smith, president of Cologix. “The completion of COL4 comes at a crucial time with hyperscalers intensifying their focus on cloud regions and laying the groundwork for seamless AI integration with cloud services.” Smith continued: “This is the first colocation AI-ready data center completed in Columbus and is poised to support this surge in demand. We look forward to continuing to deliver market-leading colocation and interconnection solutions for the Columbus market.”
Equipped with advanced infrastructure, COL4 offers enhanced security, reliability, and scalability for businesses. This development strengthens Cologix’s footprint in Ohio and underscores its commitment to providing top-tier data center services. The completion of COL4 is expected to attract more businesses to the region, boosting local economic growth and technological innovation.
AtlasEdge Appoints Africa Data Centres’ Tesh Durvasula as CEO
AtlasEdge, a leading data center company, has appointed Tesh Durvasula, former CEO of Africa Data Centres, as its new CEO. This strategic leadership change aims to drive AtlasEdge’s growth and expansion in the data center market. Durvasula brings extensive experience and expertise in the industry, positioning the company to capitalize on emerging opportunities and enhance its service offerings.
Tesh Durvasula said: “I am delighted to join AtlasEdge and lead the company through its next phase of growth. The rising tide of customer demands makes this a prime time to invest in Edge data center markets, and AtlasEdge is perfectly positioned to continue capturing this demand and become the continent’s leading platform.”
His appointment is expected to bolster AtlasEdge’s strategic initiatives and reinforce its commitment to delivering high-quality data center solutions to its clients.
Equinix to Invest $94m in Third Rio de Janeiro Data Center, Brazil
Equinix has announced a $94 million investment to build its third data center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This new facility will enhance Equinix’s capacity to support the growing demand for digital infrastructure in Latin America. The Rio de Janeiro data center will provide state-of-the-art services, including interconnection and colocation solutions, to meet the needs of various industries.
“Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest consumer markets in the country and a hub for strategic sectors, such as Energy and Mining. So expanding our local presence was the natural path for Equinix,” said Victor Arnaud, president of Equinix Brazil.
This expansion underscores Equinix’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the Brazilian market and supporting the region’s digital economy.
Mah Sing Launches Mah Sing DC Hub Southville City in Partnership with Bridge Data Centres
Mah Sing Group has partnered with Bridge Data Centres to launch the Mah Sing DC Hub in Southville City. This new data center hub aims to provide advanced digital infrastructure to support Malaysia’s growing digital economy.
Mah Sing Group has earmarked 150 acres of land at Southville City for expansion into a leading Data Centre Hub. In partnership with BDC, this project will involve designing and developing state-of-the-art data centre facilities and infrastructure, including securing necessary approvals and planning permissions. Strategically located just 19 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Southville City is a mature township with the essential infrastructure to support this major development.
The facility will offer state-of-the-art data center services, including high-performance computing and cloud solutions. This collaboration is part of Mah Sing’s strategy to diversify its portfolio and contribute to the development of Malaysia’s digital infrastructure.
Google to Invest US$2 Billion to Build Its First DC and Cloud Region in Malaysia
Google has announced a $2 billion investment to establish its first data center and cloud region in Malaysia. This significant investment is aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and supporting the country’s digital transformation initiatives.
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer; Chief Financial Officer of Alphabet and Google, said, “Google’s first data center and Google Cloud region is our largest planned investment so far in Malaysia – a place Google has been proud to call home for 13 years. This investment builds on our partnership with the Government of Malaysia to advance its ‘Cloud First Policy,’ including best-in-class cybersecurity standards. With today’s announcement, Malaysia and Google are partnering to advance our shared work to create a supportive ecosystem for innovation and unlock the potential of digital transformation.”
The new data center will provide advanced cloud services, enabling businesses to leverage Google’s cutting-edge technologies. This development highlights Google’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and supporting the digital economy in Southeast Asia.
CtrlS Launches New Data Center in Hyderabad
CtrlS has inaugurated a new data center in Hyderabad, expanding its footprint in India. The new facility is designed to provide advanced data storage and processing services, catering to the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region.
Sridhar Pinnapureddy, Founder & CEO, CtrlS Datacenters, shared why they chose to base the facility in Hyderabad, saying, “Hyderabad is one of the major data center hubs in the country, with a growing demand from enterprises, and cloud service providers. The city is one of the most preferred locations for hosting disaster recovery services, owing to its seismic zone-2 status. Our new facility will further strengthen the city’s role in shaping India’s digital future.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the data center aims to offer high-performance computing solutions to various industries. This expansion is part of CtrlS’s strategy to strengthen its position in the Indian market and support the country’s digital growth.
Gaw Buys Land Outside Tokyo for Data Center Development
Gaw Capital Partners has acquired land outside Tokyo to develop a new data center. This strategic investment aims to capitalize on the growing demand for data storage and processing facilities in Japan.
The property is situated near the Meito Sangyo and Fuchu Buildings in Fuchu Intelligent Park, which Gaw is also developing data centers on. The sites were acquired in 2021 and 2022 respectively by funds under Gaw Capital’s management and are currently being developed into carrier-neutral Tier III-quality data centers as Phase I and II.
The new data center will be equipped with advanced infrastructure to support various industries, including finance, technology, and healthcare. This development underscores Gaw’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Japanese market and enhancing its data center capabilities.
Yondr Group Bags IFC Loan to Build 300MW Malaysian Data Centre
Yondr Group has secured a loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to construct a 300MW data center in Malaysia. This project aims to address the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in the region and support Malaysia’s digital economy.
The new data centre will span 72.5 acres and total IT load will top 300MW. The IFC say that when constructed it will be the largest data centre campus in any emerging market, in terms of the combined metric of land size and committed power capacity. According to the IFC’s project information & data portal, the total cost of the project is estimated at US$874 million.
The new data center will provide advanced services, including cloud and colocation solutions, to meet the needs of various industries. This investment highlights Yondr’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and supporting digital transformation in Southeast Asia.
Raxio Opens New Data Centre in Mozambique
Raxio Group has opened a new data center in Mozambique, marking its expansion into the African market. The new facility is designed to provide advanced data storage and processing services, supporting the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region.
“We are proud to be opening Mozambique’s first Tier III, hyper-scale ready data centre and are excited to be a critical cornerstone in supporting the growth of the country’s evolving digital economy, helping to accelerate the adoption for digital tools and services across industries,” said Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group.
He continued: “The flagship Raxio MZ1 facility is a hub of connectivity and digital exchange, with eight of the country’s top telecom operators and connectivity providers already signed up. Delivering this exceptional facility is testament of our capabilities and of our commitment to provide our customers in Mozambique with the world-class infrastructure their businesses require.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the data center aims to offer high-performance computing solutions to various industries. This development is part of Raxio’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Africa and support the continent’s digital growth.
GLP’s ADA Breaks Ground on Second Building at Tokyo Campus, Japan
GLP’s ADA has commenced the construction of a second building at its Tokyo campus. This expansion aims to provide additional data storage and processing capacity to meet the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in Japan.
“We are pleased to celebrate the groundbreaking of our second building at Tokyo West 1 campus. The success of this project is the result of combining GLP Japan’s existing real estate portfolio and core capabilities in acquiring land for development with Ada Infrastructure’s team of data center industry experts,” said Yoshiyuki Chosa, president, Japan at GLP Capital Partners. “We will continue to leverage our expertise, scale, and synergies to provide data center customers with sustainable digital infrastructure.”
The new facility will be equipped with advanced technology to support various industries, including finance, technology, and healthcare. This development underscores GLP’s commitment to enhancing its data center capabilities and supporting Japan’s digital economy.
NXN Datacenters invests €60m in 6MW Valencia data center, Spain
NXN Data Centers has announced a €60 million investment to develop a 6MW data center in Valencia, Spain. This new facility aims to provide advanced data storage and processing services to support the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the data center will offer high-performance computing solutions to various industries.
Javier Salas, president of NXN Datacenters, added: “The demand for reliable, scalable, and sustainable data infrastructure has never been greater. Southern Europe, with its strategic location, its ability to attract talent, and its growing digital economy, is poised to become a key player in this global transformation. We believe that there is no better place than Valencia for this first step in our strategy.”
This investment is part of NXN’s strategy to expand its presence in Europe and support the continent’s digital transformation.
Equinix Opens First Two Data Centers in Malaysia
Equinix has inaugurated its first two data centers in Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy in Southeast Asia. These new facilities aim to provide advanced digital infrastructure and support the growing demand for data storage and processing services in the region.
Jeremy Deutsch, president for Asia-Pacific at Equinix, said: “Malaysia is a cornerstone market and top destination that is highly sought after by our valuable customers. Our unwavering dedication to the Southeast Asia region underscores our belief in its immense potential to drive digital transformation and accommodate a growing digital-savvy population.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the data centers will offer high-performance computing solutions to various industries. This development highlights Equinix’s commitment to enhancing its global footprint and supporting the digital economy in Malaysia.
ICG and Teras Launch Data Center Platform ‘Templus’
ICG and Teras have announced the launch of their new data center platform, ‘Templus’. This initiative aims to provide advanced data storage and processing services, catering to the growing demand for digital infrastructure.
The company is led by Nacho Velilla, former global vice president, and managing Director for Spain of Equinix and former president and cofounder of Spain DC, the Spanish National Data Centre Association.
Velilla said: “We are looking to democratize data and to bring data closer to individuals and companies, rather than putting the onus on people to move closer to the data.”
He continued: “The proximity of the data to the end user facilitates the digitization process and these facilities should not only be provided by companies that are located near large national or European hubs: any company should have the same digital opportunities regardless of where they operate. And if we can keep information closer to the users who need it, we will be more efficient, faster, and safer.”
The Templus platform will offer state-of-the-art technology and high-performance computing solutions to various industries. This launch is part of ICG and Teras’s strategy to expand their presence in the data center market and support digital transformation initiatives.
Netrality Launches Data Center Outside Kansas City, Kansas
Netrality has inaugurated a new data center outside Kansas City, Kansas, expanding its footprint in the United States. The new facility is designed to provide advanced data storage and processing services, supporting the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region.
“The presence of a cutting-edge facility like KC2-7801 Nieman makes the Kansas City Metro region more attractive to tech giants, startups, and everything in between, promising a vibrant future for the local economy,” said Gerald M. Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer at Netrality. “By attracting businesses that require robust, reliable, and scalable IT infrastructure, we’re fostering a climate ripe for technological innovation and a foundation for businesses to compete in today’s digital economy.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the data center aims to offer high-performance computing solutions to various industries. This development is part of Netrality’s strategy to strengthen its position in the US market and support the country’s digital growth.
AirTrunk Opens Second 110MW Tokyo Data Centre to Support AI and Cloud Needs
AirTrunk has opened its second data center in Tokyo, with a capacity of 110MW, to support the increasing demand for AI and cloud services. This new facility aims to provide advanced digital infrastructure and high-performance computing solutions to various industries.
AirTrunk Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Robin Khuda, said: “Today marks another major milestone for AirTrunk in Japan with the opening of our second data centre in Tokyo. Globally, artificial intelligence is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of more than 37 per cent from 2023 to 2032* and we’re delivering scalable cloud and AI infrastructure in record time to accelerate this growth. The opening of AirTrunk’s TOK2 data centre provides our customers with a connected, secure, scalable, and sustainable home for data in west Tokyo.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the data center will cater to the growing needs of businesses for AI and cloud computing services. This expansion highlights AirTrunk’s commitment to enhancing its presence in Japan and supporting the country’s digital economy.