Data Center Investment News — 28/06/2024
Australian Firm Macquarie to Acquire South Korea Data Centre for $722m
Macquarie Asset Management, an Australian investment firm, is set to acquire a major data center in South Korea for $722 million. This acquisition is part of Macquarie’s strategy to expand its infrastructure investments in Asia, particularly in the burgeoning data center market.
The company said 92% of the data centre’s space has already been leased to Kakao Corp., the tech behemoth behind South Korea’s ubiquitous mobile messaging platform. Additionally, LG CNS Co., the technology service management arm of the LG Group conglomerate, has secured an 8% stake.
The facility, located in Seoul, will bolster Macquarie’s portfolio, providing critical digital infrastructure to support the region’s growing demand for data services.
Scala Data Centers breaks ground on major data centre campus in Northeast Brazil
Latin American data centre platform Scala Data Centers has broken ground on its first data centre, SFORPF01, in Northeast Brazil.
Marcos Peigo, CEO and co-founder of Scala, added: “Fortaleza offers us a unique opportunity with its advanced connectivity and strategic position. Our initiative not only fills the gap in high-demand and quality infrastructure but will also become a pillar for data processing close to end-users, essential for applications such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine. This project will be a milestone, promoting a digital revolution and benefiting the entire Northeast region.”
In addition to this unit in Fortaleza, DigitalBridge-backed Scala Data Centers continues its expansion plan in Latin America with other sites under construction in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile.
Google Ups Ohio Data Centre Investment to Nearly $7bn
Google has increased its investment in Ohio data centers to nearly $7 billion. This substantial investment aims to expand Google’s digital infrastructure in the state, enhancing its capacity to deliver cloud services and digital solutions.
Google’s Jim Anderson, Vice President of North America Partner Ecosystem and Channels for Google Cloud, said: “Data centres are the backbone of many of the services we provide for our customers at Google. In many ways data centres are the engine around the digital economy.” Data centres have emerged as the indispensable linchpins facilitating the seamless delivery of a panoply of digital services that have become woven into the fabric of our daily existence.
The new facilities will support a range of industries, providing high-performance, secure, and reliable data services. This move underscores Google’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Ohio and supporting the region’s economic and technological growth.
Fengate Asset Management Invests $1.2bn in eStruxture Data Centers
Fengate Asset Management has announced a $1.2 billion investment in eStruxture Data Centers, a leading Canadian data center provider. This investment will support eStruxture’s expansion plans, including the development of new facilities and the enhancement of existing infrastructure.
Lou Serafini Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer at Fengate, commented: “For years, Fengate has had a front-row seat to the meteoric success of eStruxture, and that intimate perspective gives us full confidence to continue our relationship through this next exciting growth phase.”
Coleman added: “This partnership with Fengate marks a transformative moment for eStruxture. It not only reflects our shared commitment to advancing Canada’s digital landscape but also positions us to lead in delivering highly scalable and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions that will empower businesses across Canada and beyond.”
Fengate’s investment highlights the growing demand for data center services in Canada and the importance of robust digital infrastructure to support the country’s digital economy.
Damac’s Edgnex Plans 20MW Data Center Campus in Bangkok, Thailand
Edgnex, a subsidiary of Damac Group, plans to build a 20MW data center campus in Bangkok, Thailand. This project aims to meet the growing demand for digital services in Southeast Asia, providing high-performance, secure, and reliable infrastructure.
Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of the Damac Group, said: “Our announcement and entry into Thailand comes at a strategic time, recognizing the increasing demand for reliable data infrastructure to drive the ambitions in Thailand and to foster a robust digital ecosystem. Across APAC and globally, we continue to look for fast-growing and promising markets where governments have a solid vision that aligns well with our own growth and vision as a business and as a Group.”
The Bangkok facility will be part of Edgnex’s strategy to expand its footprint in key Asian markets, supporting the region’s digital transformation and economic growth.
Equinix Announces Plans for Data Center in Chennai, India
Equinix has revealed plans to construct a new data center in Chennai, India. This facility will enhance Equinix’s capacity to provide digital infrastructure solutions in the rapidly growing Indian market.
Set on 6 acres in the SIPCOT (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd) in the Siruseri area, the four-story building will offer capacity for 4,950 cabinets when fully built. Scheduled to open in Q4 2024, the first phase of CN1 will provide 850 cabinets. The company said it will be investing $65 million in the project.
The Chennai data center will support local enterprises and global customers, offering high-performance, secure, and reliable services. This development is part of Equinix’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in Asia and meet the increasing demand for digital infrastructure.
DataBank Plans $256m Data Center in Dallas, Texas
DataBank is set to invest $256 million in a new data center in Dallas, Texas. This facility will provide extensive digital infrastructure to meet the growing demand for data services in the region.
The proposed facility – dubbed DFW9 – will span more than 425,000 sq ft (40,000 sqm) and will be designed by JHET Architects, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation documents.
Designed for high performance and energy efficiency, the Dallas data center will support a wide range of clients, including cloud service providers and enterprises. This investment is part of DataBank’s strategy to expand its footprint in key U.S. markets.
ST Engineering Breaks Ground on Singapore Data Center
ST Engineering has begun construction on a new data center in Singapore. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide high-performance, secure, and reliable digital services to businesses in the region.
In addition, 2,400 sqm (25,835 sq ft) of solar panels will be installed to reduce reliance on the grid.
“This new data center sets new standards in security and sustainability, and we have received strong interest from customers who place priorities in these areas,” said Low Jin Phang, president of digital systems business at ST Engineering. “The new data center further strengthens ST Engineering’s digital business offerings in cloud, AI analytics, and cybersecurity.”
The project aligns with Singapore’s vision to become a leading digital hub in Asia, supporting the growing demand for data infrastructure. ST Engineering’s investment underscores its commitment to enhancing digital capabilities and supporting economic growth in Singapore.
Microsoft Gets Approval for Data Center Campus in Licking County, Ohio
Microsoft has received approval to develop a new data center campus in Licking County, Ohio. This project will significantly enhance Microsoft’s digital infrastructure in the region, providing high-performance, secure, and reliable services.
Microsoft has requested 252 gallons per minute per building, plus a reserve of 210,000 gallons per day for discharging, treating and transporting at peak wastewater flow. The company has said that this is for an emergency situation and on particularly hot days, but it is notable that this represents 30 percent of the Village’s water capacity. The company will also create two large retention ponds.
The new campus will support a wide range of industries, contributing to the economic and technological growth of Ohio. Microsoft’s investment reflects its commitment to expanding its digital footprint and meeting the increasing demand for cloud services.
NTT to Set Up Data Center REIT in Japan: Report
NTT plans to establish a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) focused on data centers in Japan. This initiative aims to attract investment in the country’s digital infrastructure, supporting the development and expansion of data centers.
It will be the first domestic data center REIT in Japan; the move will reportedly make it easier to raise funds for projects. NTT will potentially look at listing the REIT, according to reports.
NTT will initially seed the REIT will some of its data centers, primarily overseas facilities, and continue managing them.
The REIT will provide investors with opportunities to invest in high-performing digital assets, reflecting NTT’s strategy to enhance its presence in the data center market and support Japan’s digital economy.
Vantage Data Centers Plans $185m Campus in New Albany, Ohio
Vantage Data Centers is planning a $185 million data center campus in New Albany, Ohio. This facility will provide extensive digital infrastructure to meet the growing demand for data services.
The innovation park is set on 190 acres of land, and the data center campus is being developed by Lincoln Rackhouse. According to the project’s website, ground has already been broken on the campus and it could eventually have up to 1.5 million sq ft (139,355 sqm) of data center space and an IT capacity of 216MW. Based on diagrams on the website, this seems likely to span six data center buildings. The developer guarantees all of the buildings will be carbon-neutral by 2030.
Designed for high performance and energy efficiency, the New Albany campus will support a wide range of clients, including cloud service providers and enterprises. This investment is part of Vantage’s strategy to expand its footprint in key U.S. markets.
Stream Breaks Ground on Third Data Center Campus in San Antonio, Texas
Stream Data Centers has commenced construction on its third data center campus in San Antonio, Texas. This new facility will enhance Stream’s capacity to provide high-performance, secure, and reliable digital services in the region.
The company said the San Antonio III campus will feature a proprietary design with closed-loop chillers and be able to support a transition to Direct Liquid Cooling. “We are thrilled to announce the construction of our latest hyperscale data center in San Antonio,” said Paul Moser, Stream’s co-managing partner. “We are a Texas-based company with a 25-year history of serving customers in the state’s major data center markets.”
The San Antonio campus is part of Stream’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in key U.S. markets, meeting the growing demand for robust digital infrastructure.