Data Center Investment News — 09/08/2024

by

Quinbrook Raises Over $3 Billion for Net Zero Power Fund

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has successfully raised over $3 billion for its Net Zero Power Fund, aimed at promoting renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. The fund will invest in projects that focus on reducing carbon emissions and advancing clean energy technologies.

Quinbrook’s data centre investments to date include US based Rowan Digital Infrastructure, which delivers build-ready sites to data centre operators, and Supernode, a constructor of data centres on Australia’s East Coast that are powered by renewable energy. Both these investments were made through the NZPF fund, which is Quinbrook’s fifth energy transition focused fund raised to date.

This significant capital influx highlights the growing commitment to sustainable energy solutions and positions Quinbrook as a leader in the transition towards a greener economy. The fund will support a range of projects, including wind, solar, and battery storage, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

Vantage Data Centers Breaks Ground on 256MW Cyberjaya Campus, One of Malaysia’s Largest

Vantage Data Centers has commenced construction on its massive 256MW data center campus in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, marking one of the largest projects of its kind in the country. The development will enhance Malaysia’s position as a key player in the digital economy, offering advanced data infrastructure to meet growing regional demands.

Raymond Tong, President of Vantage’s APAC business, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for Vantage APAC. Our KUL2 development strengthens our market-leading position in Malaysia while contributing to the nation’s digital economy. We are grateful for the tremendous support and assistance from various government agencies and local partners in empowering our continued growth journey in Malaysia.”

The campus will feature cutting-edge technology and sustainability measures, aiming to provide efficient and reliable services to clients. This strategic move underscores Vantage’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. 

500MW Data Centre Campus Launched by BDX Indonesia & Indosat Lintasarta

BDX Indonesia and Indosat Lintasarta have launched a groundbreaking 500MW data center campus, set to revolutionize Indonesia’s digital landscape. The facility is designed to support the burgeoning demand for cloud services and digital transformation in the region.

Mayank Srivastava, CEO of BDx Data Centers, said: “BDx Indonesia is committed to enable Indonesia to become an AI-first nation. We are the only data centre provider in the country offering up to 700MW of development potential spread across Indonesia. This sustainable and interconnected mesh of digital infrastructure is engineered to support training workloads at central sites, and inference workloads across multiple locations nationwide. We are proud of our partnership with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Lintasarta in embodying the spirit of Gotong Royong to create a sovereign AI cloud for Indonesia.”

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and robust infrastructure, the campus aims to provide scalable and efficient data solutions. This collaboration highlights the commitment to fostering digital growth and innovation, making Indonesia a pivotal hub for data services in Southeast Asia. 

Singtel & NXERA Break Ground on 200MW Data Centre in Johor

Singtel and NXERA have initiated the construction of a 200MW data center in Johor, Malaysia, marking a significant step in expanding their digital infrastructure capabilities. This facility will cater to the rising demand for cloud computing and data storage solutions in the region.

Minister YB Gobind hailed the investment as reinforcing Malaysia’s position as the digital hub of Southeast Asia, noting that it aligns with projections that the country’s digital economy will contribute 25.5% to GDP by the end of 2024. He also praised the productive partnership between Malaysia and Singapore exemplified by this project.

The project is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a digital hub in Southeast Asia. Equipped with advanced technology, the center aims to provide reliable and sustainable data services, supporting businesses in their digital transformation journeys. 

AirTrunk Launches 150 Megawatt Hyperscale Data Centre in Johor Bahru

AirTrunk has unveiled its new 150MW hyperscale data center in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, designed to meet the growing needs of cloud providers and large enterprises. The facility boasts advanced infrastructure and energy-efficient technologies, aligning with global standards for sustainability.

AirTrunk Founder & Chief Executive Officer Robin Khuda said: “The rapid and safe 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. With a commitment to innovation and sustainable growth, combined with a program of investment in energy availability and renewable electricity, Malaysia is fast becoming a key tech hub in the Asia Pacific & Japan region. Through our long-term investment in Malaysia, we are able to support our customers as they grow at speed and implement groundbreaking solutions like liquid cooling, at scale, in order to catalyse sustainable cloud and AI development.”

This development reinforces AirTrunk’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and providing cutting-edge data solutions. The Johor Bahru data center is poised to become a key asset in the digital economy, supporting the rapid growth of digital services and connectivity. 

Start Campus Ramps Up Capex to $10bn, Secures 1.2GW Capacity for Inaugural Sines Data Center Project

Start Campus is significantly increasing its capital expenditure to $10 billion, securing 1.2GW of capacity for its inaugural Sines data center project in Portugal. This ambitious initiative aims to establish one of Europe’s largest data center campuses, focusing on renewable energy and sustainability.

The extra cash will be used to more than double the capacity of its SINES Data Center (SINES DC) project as the operator announced it has secured up to 1.2GW for its inaugural campus. This new load is significantly higher from the previously stated IT capacity for the Sines project, which was initially set at 495MW. When the project was first introduced in 2021, it was projected to have a capacity of ‘merely’ 450MW.

The project will leverage Portugal’s strategic location and renewable resources to offer efficient and eco-friendly data solutions. Start Campus’s investment underscores its commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the data center industry, contributing to the region’s digital economy growth. 

Kao Data Appoints New COO to Spearhead European Expansion

Kao Data has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead its expansion efforts across Europe. This strategic move aims to enhance Kao Data’s operational capabilities and accelerate its growth in the competitive European data center market.

Doug Loewe, CEO, Kao Data, said: “During the last decade Kao Data has led the charge on the development of industrial-scale data centres, engineered for AI, and is recognised globally as one of the industry’s most disruptive leaders. Appointing Pete as our new COO further vindicates our ethos for working with high-calibre industry professionals who have succeeded in some of the most demanding data centre environments, and we are delighted to welcome him into the Kao Data family.”

The new COO brings extensive industry experience and expertise in managing large-scale data center operations. Kao Data is focused on delivering high-performance and sustainable data solutions, aligning with its vision to become a leading provider in the region. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in Kao Data’s journey, driving innovation and excellence in its services. 

IPIs Stack Infrastructure Receives $3bn Green Tranche to Fuel Data Centre Development

IPIs Stack Infrastructure has secured a $3 billion green tranche to accelerate the development of its data center projects. This funding will support the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the data center industry.

Brian Cox, CEO, STACK Americas, said: “Our clients prioritize minimizing environmental impacts, which parallels our mission to advance a sustainable digital future. Securing this financing is an added example of STACK’s efforts to combine sustainable development with responsible growth.”

The green tranche will be utilized to enhance energy efficiency and incorporate renewable energy solutions into Stack Infrastructure’s facilities. This investment aligns with global trends towards sustainable development and highlights Stack Infrastructure’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint. The company aims to set new standards for environmental responsibility in the data center sector.

Macquarie Acquires First Data Centre in South Korea for $538.4 Million

Macquarie Group has made its first foray into the South Korean data center market with a $538.4 million acquisition. This strategic move reflects Macquarie’s ambition to expand its footprint in Asia’s burgeoning digital infrastructure sector.

With a gross floor area of 41,919 square meters and 12 floors, the newly acquired data center sits in Hanam-si, around 14 kilometers away from Seoul. In the press release, MKIF highlighted that the Korea government has recently announced to enforce stronger restrictions on new supply of data centers within the Greater Seoul Area (GSA) in response to the growing burden on electricity capacity and grid. While GSA is considered the optimal location for data centres in Korea due to the robust demand from corporations and well-developed infrastructure, new policy adjustment plans would see an increase in demand for established data centres within close proximity of Seoul.

The newly acquired facility will serve as a critical asset in meeting the growing demand for data services in South Korea. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Macquarie, highlighting its commitment to investing in high-growth markets and leveraging opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

India’s CtrlS Acquires Land to Build Edge Data Centre in Patna

CtrlS Datacenters, India’s leading data center provider, has acquired land in Patna for the development of an edge data center. This move aims to enhance digital connectivity and provide faster, more efficient data services in the region.

CtrlS founder and CEO, Sridhar Pinnapureddy, thanked Bihar’s state government “for providing a conducive policy environment, an industry-friendly business climate, and attractive incentives for our upcoming project”.

The existing data centre in Patna makes up one of just two edge data centres currently in operation from CtrlS, although the company aims to develop over 20 new edge data centres in tier 2 and 3 cities across India. In addition to the second Patna data centre, edge facilities in Ahmedaba, Bhubaneswar and Bhopal are already planned.

The Patna facility will be part of CtrlS’s broader strategy to establish a network of edge data centers across India, catering to the growing demand for real-time data processing and low-latency applications. This development underscores CtrlS’s commitment to driving digital transformation and supporting India’s digital economy. 

Arizona Greenlights $20bn Data Centre Campus

Arizona has approved the development of a $20 billion data center campus, marking one of the largest investments in the state’s digital infrastructure. The project aims to establish Arizona as a major hub for data services and technology innovation.

Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn said: “I truly believe this could be a game-changer. If things go as I hope, this data centre complex could become the largest in the Western United States, giving tough competition to the economically impactful Virginia-based complexes.” Ongoing discussions with Arizona Public Service and Buckeye city officials are underway to secure essential power and water resources, ensuring the campus’s long-term viability.

This ambitious initiative will provide cutting-edge facilities and support the growing demand for cloud computing and data storage solutions. The campus will incorporate advanced technologies and sustainable practices, aligning with global trends towards digital transformation and environmental responsibility. 

Panattoni Confirms Plans for 1GW AI Data Centre Portfolio

Panattoni has announced its plans to develop a 1GW AI data center portfolio, focusing on cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. This ambitious project aims to support the growing demand for artificial intelligence applications and data processing capabilities.

Kramer’s background includes stints as the CEO of nZero, a carbon emissions management company, and executive vice president of strategy at Switch, a DigitalBridge-sponsored tech infrastructure provider. Panattoni’s move into data centres is emblematic of a broader paradigm shift within the real estate industry. As the demand for traditional industrial and commercial spaces wanes, developers are increasingly turning their attention to the burgeoning data centre market, driven by the relentless growth of AI, cloud computing, and other data-intensive technologies.

The portfolio will leverage advanced infrastructure and renewable energy solutions to provide efficient and environmentally responsible data services. Panattoni’s commitment to innovation and sustainability highlights its role as a leader in the digital transformation landscape, setting new benchmarks for the industry. 

Cirion Technologies to Expand Data Center Campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cirion Technologies is set to expand its data center campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in response to increasing demand for digital services. This expansion will enhance Cirion’s ability to provide reliable and scalable data solutions to clients in the region.

Facundo Castro, CEO of Cirion Technologies, said: “This land acquisition supports the continued expansion of our data center campus in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting another important milestone in our expansion journey to grow our platform of low-latency, interconnected data centers.”

The project will incorporate state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, ensuring high performance and efficiency. Cirion’s investment in Rio de Janeiro reflects its commitment to supporting Brazil’s digital economy and strengthening its position as a leading data center provider in Latin America. 

Win Empresas Invests in Expansion, Plans New Data Center Facility

Win Empresas has announced plans to invest in a new data center facility as part of its expansion strategy. The facility will support the company’s growing client base and enhance its ability to deliver high-quality data services.

First reported by BN Americas, Augusto Cuadros, director of the firm’s data center unit, said: “We estimate that the data center capacity will multiply by 2.5 in terms of space in the next three or four years.”

Just outside of Lima in La Molina, the company will build its sixth Peruvian data center. The facility will house more than 600 cabinets, with the first phase seeing the launch of 200 cabinets.

This investment underscores Win Empresas’ commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, providing advanced solutions to meet evolving digital needs. The new data center will feature cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, ensuring reliability and efficiency.