Hyperscale

Schneider Electric announces Galaxy VXL UPS

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of its new Galaxy VXL – a highly efficient, compact, modular, scalable, and redundant 500-1250 kW (400V) three-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS), complete with enhanced cyber security, software, and safety features. At just 1.2m² with a power density of up to 1042 kW/m², Galaxy VXL UPS sets a new benchmark in efficient, sustainable, and advanced UPS technologies. Available immediately in all 400V IEC regions worldwide, Galaxy VXL delivers the highest levels of power performance for AI, colocation, and hyperscale data centre environments, as well as large-scale critical infrastructure and electrical systems within commercial buildings and industrial facilities. With its industry-first compact design, high-density power provision, and AI-load tolerant design, Galaxy VXL maximises uptime and availability for the most energy-intensive infrastructure systems – being capable of powering up to 1.25 MW in one frame, and up to 5 MW with four units running in parallel, while increasing both operational and energy efficiencies to help minimise customers’ total cost of ownership (TCO). Through its patented operating technologies, Galaxy VXL delivers up to 99% in its high-efficiency eConversion mode, and up to 97.5% efficiency in double conversion mode, providing Class-1 power protection alongside leading levels of energy reduction, while lowering the UPSs’ carbon emissions by a factor of two. With a 52% smaller footprint compared with the industry average, its scalable, modular design also enables N+1 levels of redundancy to increase the system’s level of availability by a factor of 10. Further, through its modular architecture, customers can reduce their capital expenditure (CapEx) by purchasing power modules as they need them, enjoying optimised energy efficiency, and adding more power modules as demands grow. Galaxy VXL is also compatible with both Lithium-ion and VRLA batteries, and with its Live Swap function, allows for greater uptime, availability, and easier serviceability – offering highly resilient, flexible, and predictable runtimes for data centre, IT, and critical electrical loads. This is complemented by anywhere remote monitoring via Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT software, and enhanced security and ethernet connections, which are certified to the latest IEC 62443-4-2 security standards, providing a completely secure and connected remote management experience. “As dependency on large-scale infrastructure systems grows at an unprecedented rate, it’s crucial that customers can access the most sustainable, resilient, and efficient technologies to safeguard their critical systems, while minimising their energy and environmental impact,” says Tarunjeet Sarao, SVP Data Centre Systems, Schneider Electric. “Our new Galaxy VXL UPS combines a compact, innovative, and highly efficient design with enhanced safety features, providing world-leading power protection for a wide range of AI, data centre, and industrial applications. This ensures the high-density workloads of the future are supported by unparalleled levels of reliability.” Key features and benefits Schneider Electric’s Galaxy VXL UPS has been designed to offer record breaking power densities, and an AI-ready power architecture for the most energy-intensive workloads. For the first time, this new UPS provides customers 1.25mw scalable and modular solution with 125kw/3U power modules in 1.2m² footprint, while being capable of supporting up to 1.25 MW of critical load in one frame and up to 5 MW with four units in parallel in only 4.8m² space. Key benefits include: • Modular, scalable, high-power design: With a power density of 1042 kW per squared meter, customers can deploy a 1.25 MW modular UPS in a single frame, and add power modules incrementally via pay-as-you-grow flexibility.• Smaller footprint: Standing at 1.2m², Galaxy VXL has a 52% footprint improvement compared with industry average, with full front access and no rear clearance, offering better power and space utilisation.• Increased efficiency and sustainability: Galaxy VXL provides up to 99% efficiency in eConversion mode and up to 97.5% efficiency in double conversion mode. Its compact footprint means raw material reduction, less packaging, and includes SPoT (Smart Power Test) mode for UPS and Power Module testing, saving electricity.• Lower CapEx and OpEx: Improved operational and energy efficiencies provide a catalyst for lower electricity bills, and ease of service/maintenance equates to lower labour cost for a better TCO.• Reinforced, resilient design: Galaxy VXL utilises conformal-coated boards, 100kA short circuit rating and optional seismic kit for a robust mechanical design.• Enhanced cyber security and safety: Galaxy VXL is certified to the latest IEC 62443-4-2 security standards and includes Live Swap technology to allow power module replacements, with zero downtime.• Extended lifespan via EcoCare: With Galaxy VXL, Schneider Electric is introducing EcoCare membership, a next-generation services plan, providing premium on-site and remote access to technical experts, 24/7 remote monitoring powered by AI, condition-based maintenance to minimise on-site disruptions by up to 50%, and help extend the UPS’s lifespan.• Perfect for prefabricated data centres: With a smaller physical footprint, higher efficiency, and lower cost, Galaxy VXL provides a resilient backbone for the prefabricated data centres of the future. Scaling-up to customer demands for AI systems To meet customer demands for AI systems, Schneider Electric has increased manufacturing and production capacity at a host of its global factories, where its annual production capacity for Galaxy VXL UPS will exceed 9,000 units in 2025. Additionally, Galaxy VXL UPS will be available at Schneider Electric’s Sant Boi, Barcelona factory, where it will be integrated to form the resilient backbone for Schneider Electric’s prefabricated, modular range of high-compute workload data centre solutions. Schneider Electric’s Galaxy VXL UPS is available for order immediately. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Joint venture to develop DC campuses in Saudi Arabia

Pure Data Centres, a global provider of data centre infrastructure, and Dune Vaults, an innovation-driven digital infrastructure platform, announced today a joint venture to develop hyperscale data centres in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The joint venture plans to develop multiple 100+ MW-capacity campuses of best-in-class facilities, making it one of the largest data centre providers in the region, poised to meet growing local and international customer demand. Saudi Arabia is the fastest-growing data centre market in the Middle East, driven by government digitalisation efforts, a ‘Cloud First’ policy and a favourable regulatory environment. With the growth of mega and giga projects in Saudi Arabia, significantly increased demand for AI technology and cloud services is anticipated. This demand is further bolstered by an abundance of stable, low-cost and renewable power, land, and a government focused on the development of the technology and AI sectors. The new venture marks a significant milestone for Pure DC’s expansion in the region as it seeks to meet the growing demand from its global customer base for secure, low-latency connections to support real-time applications and services, including support for the growing demand for AI technology. Pure DC benefits from the expertise and investment backing of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, a global investment manager specialising in alternative investments. With this strategic expansion, Dune Vaults’ aims to diversify its portfolio by addressing the surging demand for end-to-end wholesale data centre services and develop critical data centre infrastructure in Saudi Arabia to cement the Kingdom’s digital leadership in the region. Dune Vaults benefits from being backed by prominent Saudi investors. Faisal AlRahbiny, Founder & MD of Dune Vaults, says, “We are dedicated to establishing over 1,000 MW of sustainable data centre capacity in Saudi Arabia, aligning with market demand estimates and supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 digital transformation goals. Through our strategic partnership with Pure DC, we are bringing advanced data centre solutions to meet the needs of global hyperscalers whose presence in the Kingdom will accelerate digitisation and economic growth. As key contributors to the Kingdom’s Vision, we are not only investing in digital infrastructure, but also developing local talent and creating substantial economic opportunities, supporting a vibrant and future-ready Saudi Arabia.” Dame Dawn Childs, Chief Executive Officer of Pure DC, adds, “Data centres are the engines for innovation. In Dune Vaults, we have a partner that matches our ambition for solving the challenges of the future and the expertise to support our expansion in one of the fastest-growing markets for data capacity.” For more from Pure Data Centres, click here.

DC BLOX to develop hyperscale edge node data centres

DC BLOX, a provider of digital infrastructure across the South East of the United States, is developing three new hyperscale edge node sites in addition to a previously announced location. The new data centres will be located in Montgomery, Alabama; North Augusta, South Carolina; and Huntsville, Alabama; in addition to the location in Conyers, Georgia that was formerly made public. These developments underscore the company’s commitment to supporting the South East’s rapidly growing demand for digital infrastructure. The Montgomery facility will initially support 5MW for a hyperscale anchor tenant, with capacity to expand up to 40MW to accommodate additional tenants. The North Augusta and Huntsville sites are each designed to provide 5MW of power dedicated to the hyperscale client. DC BLOX says that these new developments further validate the company's strategy to deliver scalable, efficient digital infrastructure solutions across the region, including edge-market Tier III data centres, the Myrtle Beach cable landing station, large-scale hyperscale data centres and a regional fibre network. Each component plays a crucial role in meeting the increasing need for edge data services in the South East where DC BLOX’s expertise and dedication to local partnerships are driving significant growth. "Our continued expansion is a testament to the soundness of our strategy and our deep understanding of the South Eastern market," says Jeff Uphues, CEO of DC BLOX. "With each new site, we are building critical digital infrastructure that enables hyperscale companies to operate at the edge while benefiting from the South East's favourable economics and rapid growth." In addition to these three new edge sites, DC BLOX previously announced its Atlanta East campus. Located just 24 miles east of downtown Atlanta in Rockdale County, the Atlanta East campus is a vital component of DC BLOX’s expanding Southeastern digital infrastructure. The Atlanta East campus will initially deliver 10MW for the hyperscale tenant with an expansion capacity of up to 120MW critical power available for additional clients. Combined, these four edge sites will initially deliver 25 total MW devoted to the hyperscale client with a total potential capacity of 160MW for additional tenants. In conjunction with the Atlanta East data centre, DC BLOX is building a dark fibre ring around metro Atlanta, enabling regional connectivity from the campus as well as providing global access via DC BLOX’s regional fibre backbone connecting into the Myrtle Beach cable landing station. The development of these new hyperscale edge node data centres has reportedly garnered strong support from local municipalities, with leaders across the South East recognising the economic and infrastructure advantages that they bring. These partnerships reflect a shared vision for growth that benefits both local communities and the wider region. For more from DC BLOX, click here.

Prime announces opening of Los Angeles data centre

Prime, an international data centre developer and operator serving hyperscale and wholesale enterprise needs, has announced the opening of its Los Angeles data centre located at 4701 S. Santa Fe in Vernon, California. The purpose-built data centre is 100% leased by two artificial intelligence companies and will deliver 33 MW of critical IT power at full build out. “This achievement is the successful manifestation of an ecosystem and process coming together, resulting in high-quality digital infrastructure delivered amidst rapidly changing customer market conditions,” says Nicholas Laag, Founder and CEO of Prime Data Centers. “We would like to thank our customers, the City of Vernon, all project partners, and Prime employees for their significant contributions. Prime looks forward to being at the centre of Southern California AI delivery and to positively impacting the local Vernon community for many years to come.” Prime Los Angeles (LAX01-01) is a three-storey, 242,495 square-foot hyperscale data centre built with an adaptable design that enables customers to advance modern workloads over time, within the same data halls, without major customisation. Each data hall is supported by Prime’s standard air cooling for up to 40 kilowatts-per-rack density with the ability to combine liquid cooling to condition infrastructure that will consume 120 kilowatts per rack. Amidst power-intensive requirements, Prime will maintain its commitment to sustainability with low Power Usage Effectiveness and near-zero Water Usage Effectiveness. Prime will also procure Water Restoration Certificates from Bonneville Environmental Foundation to cover 120% of actual, annual water consumption. "The City of Vernon is excited to welcome Prime Data Centers to our growing mix of businesses and residents” comments City of Vernon Mayor, Judith Merlo. “We take pride in knowing our city is now home to a key AI hub and recognise the positive impact data centres have on our local economy. From commencement to completion to ongoing operations, this project will provide a wide range of temporary and permanent jobs as well as tax revenue that will enhance our community. We wish Prime and its customers continued success.” Prime will commemorate this milestone with a private event featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, private data centre tours, and small celebration at an exclusive downtown venue. The title sponsor for the event is Clune Construction, the general contractor selected for the next phase of customer infrastructure build-out. “I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone involved in the successful delivery of this project,” remarks Jonathan Gibbs, SVP of Product Delivery for North America at Prime Data Centers. “Prime’s LAX01-01 data centre will feature innovations such as generator buildings, hybrid air/liquid cooling solution, and a roadmap to use hydrotreated vegetable oil to fuel backup generators amongst others. We look forward to exceeding the expectations of our new customers while continuing to develop the foundation for global technology advancement at our numerous active developments across the US and Europe.” For more from Prime, click here.

Bain Capital and Aquila to build sustainable data centre platform

Bain Capital, a private, multi-asset alternative investment firm, and Aquila Group, a private investment company and pioneer in sustainable assets, have announced a significant partnership in the data centre sector. As part of the cooperation, Bain Capital is acquiring an 80% stake in AQ Compute, the data centre subsidiary of Aquila Group. This strategic alliance, with a targeted multi-billion Euro investment volume, is aimed at significantly accelerating AQ Compute’s plans to develop and operate sustainable data centres for hyperscale and AI customers across Europe. Founded by Aquila Group in 2020, AQ Compute provides modular and AI-ready data centre and colocation services, primarily powered by clean energy. With significant investment, the company launched its first sustainable data centre near Oslo in 2024, with additional projects underway in Barcelona, Milan and beyond. Bain Capital supports this growth through its capital investment and global expertise in the data centre industry, including its successful development of Bridge Data Centres in Asia. Together, the partners aim to build a leading European data centre platform, utilising clean energy wherever feasible. Ali Haroon, a Partner at Bain Capital, says, “The European data centre sector presents an attractive market opportunity, driven by robust cloud demand, a need for high-performance computing and AI deployments, and data sovereignty across the region. Through this partnership with Aquila Group, we bring a differentiated, renewable energy angle to tackle the ever-growing power challenges in this critical part of Europe’s infrastructure.” Rafael Coste Campos, a Managing Director at Bain Capital, adds, “We are thrilled to bring our deep European real estate sector expertise and our multi-layered experience growing companies with complex infrastructure services, tenant relationships and talent attraction to AQ Compute. Leveraging our global data centre expertise, we are well-positioned to meet the needs of this ever growing and critically important sector and to build a market leading data centre operation in Europe.” Michael Huber, a Principal at Bain Capital, notes, “Having invested more than $1 billion in real estate over the past three years, Bain Capital’s first European investment in data centres means we now have a truly global platform. This investment will benefit from and complement our experience investing in and building one of the largest data centres in Asia – Chindata and backing DC BLOX in the US.” Roman Rosslenbroich, Co-Founder and CEO of Aquila Group, comments, “Through our partnership with Bain Capital, we are well positioned to expand AQ Compute’s capabilities and solidify its role as a key player in Europe’s digital infrastructure. The rapid growth in data demands presents both a challenge and an opportunity - while more data centres are essential, they must be sustainable. Aquila will invest several hundred-million Euros alongside Bain Capital’s larger commitment, with Aquila Capital providing co-investments. With our continued 20% stake, we will ensure AQ Compute’s growth aligns with our long-term vision for sustainable infrastructure, leveraging synergies with Aquila Clean Energy, a major developer and independent power producer in the clean energy space.“ Markus Holzer, Chairman of AQ Compute, concludes, “At AQ Compute, we are uniquely positioned to meet the growing demand for data processing by combining innovative, AI-ready infrastructure with a commitment to sustainability. This partnership with Bain Capital not only accelerates our development pipeline but also allows us to set new standards in sustainable data centre operations across Europe.” For more from Bain Capital, click here.

Black Box commits to expanding data centre practice

Black Box has provided an update on the progress of its Western Region Training Facility in Chandler, Arizona, which has become a state-of-the-art Hyperscale Data Centre of Excellence catering to both hyperscale and enterprise data centres. Completed in late 2022, the Chandler facility now mirrors the capabilities of the company’s renowned centre in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, which has proven instrumental in upskilling current employees, attracting new talent and implementing comprehensive training programmes. It joins a growing network of Black Box’s Centre of Excellence offices, and further reinforces the company's commitment to advancing data centre mobilisation, pre-con services and construction. The data centre industry is experiencing rapid growth as the backbone of the digital economy, driven by increasing demands for cloud computing, AI and data storage. Black Box says that this is why it is committed to expanding its data centre practice, investing in leadership and Centres of Excellence to provide cutting-edge solutions and expertise for this critical and evolving market. As a part of this, Black Box has also announced the appointment of Matt Easton to Vice President of Data Centre Solutions. Matt comments, “Our new Hyperscale Data Centre of Excellence, along with our participation in the 7x24 Exchange Summit, focuses on developing the talent and infrastructure needed to meet the growing demands. By combining cutting-edge facilities with strategic workforce development, we ensure that Black Box remains at the forefront of hyperscale and enterprise solutions, ready to support our clients’ evolving needs in this rapidly expanding sector.” Before joining Black Box, Matt served as the Vice President of Operations at E2 Optics, where he led teams in project controls, estimation, talent acquisition, DAS/wireless and large-scale telecommunications construction. For more from Black Box, click here.

Data centre capacity constraints pushing demand to new locations

AI use is set to require the doubling of hyperscale data centre capacity in the next four years, but while the depth of demand will mean centres will be required in markets around the world, energy infrastructure and grid capacity will mean delivery will be easiest in northern European locations such as Malmo, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Oslo, says Savills. The international real estate advisor has benchmarked 68 locations around the world to assess the impact of energy constraints in different global markets, given that power capacity tends to be the major limiting factor in data centre development. With major cities often seeing high demand from competing power needs, it is often smaller cities that will find data centre delivery easiest, especially those which have plentiful renewable energy sources; but “data localisation requirements and an ongoing need for some services to be located close to key markets will continue to drive development even in the most energy-constrained hubs”, comments Paul Tostevin, Head of Savills World Research. He continues, “However, locations where limitations are fewer and time to market is faster are likely to benefit from the current unstoppable need for more capacity, especially as a cloud-based services such as AI have made site-selection more location-agnostic. We’re seeing some trends in the fastest growing markets being close to those which have limited capacity, such as Malaysia, which is boosted by its role in supporting demand from constrained neighbouring Singapore; a pattern which is beginning to emerge elsewhere in southeast Asia.” In the US, access to power and limits on grid capacity has become the major constraint on new data centre development. Rick Drescher, Corporate Managing Director and Lead of Savills Critical Facilities in the US, says, “The rulebook of data centre site selection has been ripped up; it now all comes down to where sufficient power can be accessed. In the US, the biggest markets are Northern Virginia, Chicago, and Dallas, but we’re now seeing significant growth in locations such as San Antonio-Austin, and that’s because power restrictions there are less of a factor.” Scott Newcombe, EMEA Head of Data Centres, adds, “AI is significantly transforming European data centre markets by driving increased demand for processing power and storage capacity. As organisations adopt AI technologies, they require advanced infrastructures to handle vast amounts of data. This surge leads to the expansion of existing data centres and the construction of new ones, fostering innovations in energy efficiency and cooling systems. “Moreover, with stricter regulations on data protection and sustainability, data centre operators in Europe are investing in green technologies to meet compliance requirements and consumer expectations. Overall, AI is shaping a more robust, efficient, and environmentally conscious data centre landscape across EMEA.” For more from Savills, click here.

Planning consent secured for £750m hyperscale data centre

Legal & General, specialist digital infrastructure investment firm Goldacre, and data centre development partner sineQN, have announced that planning has been approved for a £750m sustainable, urban hyperscale data centre investment located in the London Borough of Newham. The development is expected to contribute £88 million to Newham’s GVA (gross value added), creating over 1,000 skilled jobs during the construction and operation phases, and is targeted to attract 500 high-growth data businesses to the Borough. The consortium brings together their digital infrastructure experience and expertise to this new and independent project. The data centre represents a significant investment and contribution to further regeneration in Newham, where L&G has already provided over £550 million to the development of high quality and multi-sectoral regeneration projects, delivering housing and public realm as well as economic benefits such as job creation. Driven by increased demand from the digitalisation of society, including cloud migration and AI, growth in data storage and processing continues to accelerate. This partnership supports the growth in data capacity in Europe’s largest and tightest market, whilst aiming to deliver critical infrastructure that is both commercially attractive and addresses social and environmental needs. The proposed development will deliver 80 megawatts of IT power by early 2027, and has the flexibility to deliver all workloads, including AI, in a secure, sustainable location just over 500m from the London Internet Exchange (LINX). The data centre has the potential to be a heat source for thousands of homes in Newham and will aim to help the Council fulfil its net zero ambitions. The scheme will also provide significant environmental and public realm improvements along Bidder Street and connecting walkways along the Lower Lea Valley, from Canning Town to Stratford. Matteo Colombo, Managing Director of Digital Infrastructure, Asset Management, Legal & General says, “This data centre signals our continued support for the Borough through the provision of catalytic capital to develop vital assets and boost productivity in this vibrant part of London.” David Bloom, Founder & CEO, Goldacre says, “The planning approval marks a significant milestone, not only for Newham but for London’s broader digital infrastructure. As demand for data capacity continues to grow exponentially, this development reinforces the capital’s position as a global hub for innovation and technology. At Goldacre, we are committed to advancing the future of digital infrastructure, and this project exemplifies our dedication to innovative and forward-thinking solutions that meet the evolving needs of the digital economy. It has been over a decade since we invested in our first data centre, and we have gone on to make a number of successful investments in this space, with Newham as the latest addition. Both the sector and the processes involved have experienced a coming of age, there could not be a better time to invest in data centres."

New 1MW Coolant Distribution Unit launched

Airedale by Modine, a critical cooling specialist, has announced the launch of a coolant distribution unit (CDU), in response to increasing demand for high performance, high efficiency liquid and hybrid (air and liquid) cooling solutions in the global data centre industry. The Airedale by Modine CDU will be manufactured in the US and Europe and is suitable for both colocation and hyperscale data centre providers who are seeking to manage higher-density IT heat loads. The increasing data processing power of next-generation central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs), developed to support complex IT applications like AI, result in higher heat loads that are most efficiently served by liquid cooling solutions. The CDU is the key component of any liquid cooling system, isolating facility water systems from the IT equipment and precisely distributing coolant fluid to where it is needed in the server / rack. Delivering up to 1MW of cooling capacity based on ASHRAE W2 or W3 facility water temperatures, Airedale’s CDU offers the same quality and high energy efficiency associated with other Airedale by Modine cooling solutions. Developed with complete, intelligent cooling systems in mind, the CDU’s integrated controls communicates with the site building management system (BMS) and system controls, for optimal performance and reliability. The ability to network up to eight CDUs makes it a flexible and scalable solution, responsive to a wide range of high-density loads. Manufactured with the highest quality materials and components, with N+1 pump redundancy, the Airedale CDU is engineered to perform in the uptime-dependent world of the hyperscale and colocation global data centre markets. Richard Burcher, Liquid Cooling Product Manager at Airedale by Modine, says, “Our investment in the liquid cooling market strengthens Airedale by Modine’s position in the data centre industry. We are seeing an increasing amount of enquiries for liquid cooling solutions, as providers move to a hybrid cooling approach to manage low to mid-density and high-density heat loads in the same space. “Airedale by Modine is a complete system provider, encompassing air and liquid cooling, as well as control throughout the thermal chain, supported with in-territory aftersales. This expertise in all areas of data centre cooling affords our clients complete life-cycle assurance.” For more from Airedale, click here.

Vantage breaks ground on Cyberjaya campus

Vantage Data Centers, a global provider of hyperscale data centre campuses, has broken ground on its second Cyberjaya campus (KUL2) in Malaysia. Set on 35 acres of land adjacent to Vantage’s existing campus (KUL1), KUL2 will deliver 256MW of IT capacity at full build-out to support cloud adoption and the growth of artificial intelligence (AI). The campus has its own dedicated substation, providing customers unrivalled expansion flexibility and speed. This significant milestone was celebrated today with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Malaysian government agencies and local partners, including: Raymond Tong, President of Vantage’s APAC business, comments, “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.” Following last year’s announcement to invest an additional planned $3 billion (£2.36bn) into Malaysia, Vantage executed an agreement with Cyberview, the tech hub developer of Cyberjaya, to secure land to build the largest hyperscale data centre campus in the city. The multi-facility campus, designed to support both cloud and high-density computing deployments, will offer customers the flexibility to address evolving market and technical needs. Combined with KUL1, Vantage will have 287MW of IT capacity in Malaysia once both campuses are fully developed. YB Senator, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), remarks, “We warmly welcome Vantage Data Centers’ plan to build an AI-ready data centre at its KUL2 campus; a strategic move that will not only support Malaysia’s AI aspirations, but also drive economic growth, create new job opportunities, and propel the country’s digital transformation forward. “As the ‘heart, lungs and nerve cells’ of the digital revolution, data centres facilitate the start or expansion of general economic activity. Together with cloud technology and network infrastructure, data centres make up the internet backbone underpinning digitalisation as we know it today. This has, among others, enabled small businesses to thrive, while closing the global socio-economic gap. Malaysia has the edge to facilitate more data centres, particularly AI-focused data centres that could also support Malaysia’s aim to create 3,000 smart factories by 2030. All these will help Malaysia position itself as a leading regional hub for AI-enabled manufacturing.” YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, remarked ” Malaysia is wholly committed to accelerating its digitalisation agenda and positioning itself as a leader in the digital economy, particularly in Southeast Asia, as the nation assumes the ASEAN chair next year. Robust and reliable digital infrastructure is recognized as a crucial component in this endeavour. A strong digital infrastructure, which supports data storage and global connectivity, will be a key enabler in economic growth and innovation.” Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, notes, “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Vantage’s decision to significantly expand its data centre capacity in Malaysia. This is a major win for our country’s digital infrastructure ecosystem, and it’s a testament to the robust demand for high-quality data centre services in the region. I’m proud to say that as a partner, we’ve been working closely with Vantage to ensure that its investment is a success. We’ve provided them with comprehensive facilitation and support, and we’re confident that it will be able to leverage Malaysia’s unique strengths to achieve regional and global excellence.” Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, Chief Executive Officer, Cyberview, adds, “With the expansion of Vantage Data Centers in Cyberjaya, we mark a significant milestone that underscores Cyberjaya’s standing as a premier destination for hyperscale data centre providers. This development not only reinforces the city’s strategic importance but also reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancement for Malaysia. By aligning with the government’s vision to propel the digital economy forward, we are demonstrating our dedication to creating a dynamic and supportive future-ready digital ecosystem in Cyberjaya.” In addition, Vantage has signed an Electricity Supply Agreement (ESA) with TNB, Malaysia’s leading electricity company, for 500MVA-rated power capacity via a dedicated 275kV high-voltage substation for KUL2. “Under TNB’s Green Lane Pathway initiative, we have streamlined the process of powering data centres by bringing together all requirements for grid connectivity to be handled through our One-Stop-Centre (OSC),” says Kamal Arifin A. Rahman, Chief Retail Officer of TNB. “The accelerated delivery time for the project is a manifestation of TNB’s customer-centricity. It also signifies TNB’s commitment to facilitate and hasten the process of powering data centres.” Rahman emphasised that apart from powering at speed, TNB’s grid infrastructure is capable of delivering reliable, stable and secure power at scale with the ability to supply renewable energy sources for the growing number of data centres in Malaysia. “Given TNB’s key focus is to accelerate energy transition and address climate change, our support for data centres will help reduce carbon footprints, thus supporting Malaysia’s sustainability goals and economic growth.” Vantage’s APAC portfolio includes 452MW of operational and planned IT capacity across five markets: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan. For more from Vantage Data Centers, click here.