AirTrunk to build second Johor data centre for cloud and AI growth

AirTrunk, a key player in hyperscale data centres in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), is stepping up its commitment to Malaysia.

The company has unveiled plans for JHB2, its second cloud and AI-ready data centre in Johor’s Iskandar Puteri region. Once fully built, JHB2 will deliver over 270 megawatts (MW) of capacity, catering to the growing demands of global cloud providers and tech firms in the region.

This announcement comes hot on the heels of JHB1, AirTrunk’s first data centre in Johor, which went live in July 2024 with 150+ MW. Together, the two projects represent a RM9.7 billion (A$3.5 billion) investment, bringing AirTrunk’s total capacity in Malaysia to over 420MW.

Supporting Malaysia’s digital and economic growth

JHB2 will be built within a key availability zone and will offer cross-border connectivity, allowing customers to scale seamlessly across Malaysia and Singapore. The project aligns well with Malaysia’s fast-growing digital economy and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which aims to strengthen regional cooperation and business growth.

AirTrunk’s founder and CEO, Robin Khuda, said: “As Malaysia establishes itself as a digital powerhouse, it is a privilege for AirTrunk to contribute to this growth over the long term and deliver shared benefit for the people of Malaysia. AirTrunk’s data centres serve as essential infrastructure that will help boost productivity and enable new products and services that can drive economic growth.”

Built for AI and sustainability

Much like JHB1, JHB2 will be equipped to handle AI workloads, thanks to AirTrunk’s cutting-edge liquid cooling technology. This cooling system is intended to efficiently manage high-density computing demands while minimising energy usage.

The data centre is designed for efficiency, with a low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.25 and a variety of renewable energy options for clients. Sustainability remains a key focus, with AirTrunk exploring the use of treated greywater as part of Johor’s push to diversify its water sources.

Green energy and net zero ambitions

AirTrunk is serious about reducing its carbon footprint. The company is working towards its Net Zero 2030 target and has already taken notable steps:

• One of Southeast Asia’s largest onsite solar installations at JHB1.
• Malaysia’s first Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) for 30MW of renewable energy under the Corporate Green Power Programme.

JHB2 will continue this green momentum, with AirTrunk partnering with Malaysia’s national utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Together, they are fast-tracking high-voltage power supply to the new site within 12 months under TNB’s Green Lane Pathway for Data Centres. AirTrunk is also providing land for a new substation, which will boost the area’s power resilience.

Jobs, Skills, and STEM for Malaysians

Beyond infrastructure, AirTrunk is investing in Malaysia’s talent. Around 90% of its workforce is local, with employees receiving above-market salaries and career development opportunities. The company is also supporting digital literacy programs and offering STEM education scholarships at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to develop future tech talent.

Pei Jet Lim, AirTrunk’s country head for Malaysia, said: “Combining long-term investment with high value local employment, training and social impact initiatives is central to our approach. As with JHB1, we have also continued to pioneer sustainable practices with JHB2, in line with our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2030.”

Local leaders welcome the expansion

The Menteri Besar of Johor, Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, said: “Ensuring high value employment and training opportunities, like those offered by AirTrunk, alongside the economic contribution of digital infrastructure also ensures a positive legacy for Johor. This will surely help in achieving the vision of Maju Johor by 2030.”

Growing footprint across Asia Pacific

With JHB2, AirTrunk’s data centre portfolio grows to 12 sites across Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore – bringing its total capacity to nearly 1.8 gigawatts (GW).

For Malaysia, this expansion isn’t just about data – it’s about fuelling cloud and AI innovation while creating long-term benefits for the economy, workforce, and environment.

See also: Google’s global expansion: Investing in geothermal energy in Nevada and a major data centre in Malaysia

(Image by Pixabay)

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