Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ) hyperscale data center specialist, AirTrunk, has officially commenced operations in Malaysia with the grand opening of its flagship 150 megawatt (MW) hyperscale data center in Johor Bahru, aptly named AirTrunk JHB1 (JHB1).
The JHB1 data center marks a major milestone in the region, with its initial phases set to deliver over 50MW of capacity to cater to its large technology customers. Impressively, the development was completed with over 4 million work hours and zero major safety incidents, highlighting AirTrunk’s unwavering commitment to safety at its construction sites.
Strategically located on a 10.3-hectare site in Johor Bahru at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, JHB1 is designed to service a major cloud availability zone. The data center offers robust domestic and international connectivity, including a seamless cross-border connection to neighboring Singapore, positioning it as a critical regional technology hub.
This significant event saw attendance from Malaysian and Australian government officials, as well as key partners of AirTrunk. Among the notable attendees were Malaysia’s Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong, Chairman of Johor State Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee, YB Tuan Lee Ting Han, and Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Ms Danielle Heinecke.
Other than the extraordinary capabilities, one of JHB1’s standout features is its industry-leading Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15, making it one of the most efficient data centers in the country. The state-of-the-art facility is also AI-ready, featuring AirTrunk’s pioneering direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology, alongside traditional indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) and high-density racks. This innovative cooling approach, launched in July 2024 after five years of research and development, reduces energy consumption by up to 23 percent.
AirTrunk’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its collaboration with Malaysian utility company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to connect JHB1. This follows an MOU signed in 2023 aimed at advancing the energy transition in the region. Earlier this year, AirTrunk announced a groundbreaking 30MW renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreement with developer ib vogt under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Programme. This agreement represents the maximum allocation available for an individual developer with a secured offtaker.
JHB1 is also equipped with a solar-ready roof, capable of generating over 1MW of power in its current phase. This makes it one of the largest onsite solar deployments for a data center in Southeast Asia, reinforcing AirTrunk’s leadership in sustainable and innovative data center solutions.
Here are the statements given by Guest of Honors as well as key figures during the event:
“We welcome AirTrunk’s investment in Malaysia, which not only underscores Malaysia’s growing importance as a regional digital hub but also aligns with our vision of fostering a robust and innovative digital economy as outlined under the MADANI Economy Framework and New Industrial Master Plan 2030. Sustainability should be a key consideration in the operations of data centers. The use of renewable energy and its innovative indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) and direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology will allow AirTrunk to lead by example in the arena of sustainable data centers.” – Yang Berhormat Tuan Liew Chin Tong, the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI)“Malaysia is seizing the opportunity to build a robust ecosystem for artificial intelligence in the region. The foundation of digital infrastructure delivered by facilities like AirTrunk JHB1 is critical to achieving this goal. We welcome responsible and long-term investment from pioneering companies like AirTrunk that share our vision of a vibrant future for Malaysia and the region and remain focused on accelerating the energy transition.” – Yang Berhormat Tuan Lee Ting Han, Chairman of Johor State Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee“We are excited to see AirTrunk’s data center investment come to fruition in Malaysia. This AI-ready data center project, which prioritises sustainability through the energy-efficient technologies and green practices, is poised to create significant spillover effects. It will not only enhance our digital infrastructure but also foster innovation across sectors, creating high-quality jobs and strengthening the building blocks of the digital economy. MIDA is committed to supporting AirTrunk’s data center project through every phase, providing facilitation and ensuring a smooth operational journey. We will continue to collaborate closely with AirTrunk and other stakeholders to maximise the benefits of this investment, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a leading destination for digital investments.” – Mr. Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)“The opening of the AirTrunk JHB1 data centre is a significant leap towards advancing AI capabilities and high-quality Australian investment in Malaysia’s digital export transformation. The AirTrunk investment underscores the value of regional collaboration to create good jobs and key capabilities for Malaysia in digital and low emissions data centres, and I am delighted to see an Australian firm making such a positive contribution to Malaysia’s digital economy.” – Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade“Demand for more efficient and green data centres is growing exponentially in Malaysia and across the region. The launch of AirTrunk’s JHB1 data centre will support Malaysia’s ambitions to grow its digital economy ecosystem in a sustainable way and reflects Malaysia’s attractiveness as an investment destination, especially in the digital and tech sectors. – Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Danielle Heinecke
