Data center operator AirTrunk has announced plans to build a second Malaysian data center in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

The JHB2 facility will be scalable to more than 270MW and will bring the company’s total investment in Malaysia to RM 9.7 billion ($2.2bn).

The company said the facility is located in a major availability zone and will support Malaysia’s fast-growing digital economy.

JHB2 will use liquid cooling technology and be designed to meet a PUE of 1.25, with multiple renewable energy options available to customers.

Other specifications of the facility have not been shared.

This follows the launch of AirTrunk’s JHB1 facility in July 2024, after initially announcing its Malaysian expansion in early 2023. JHB1 offers 21,900 sqm (235,750 sq ft) of space across 20 data halls and more than 150MW of capacity.

“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 centers serve as essential infrastructure that will help boost productivity and enable new products and services that can drive economic growth,” said Robin Khuda, AirTrunk founder and CEO.

“We are committed to helping realize the potential of cloud and AI in Malaysia and prioritizing circularity for the benefit of society and the environment.”

AirTrunk recently announced onsite solar deployments at its JHB1 facility and signed a vPPA for a data center for 30MW of renewable energy under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Programme.

The company is also working with Malaysian utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad to connect its upcoming JHB2 facility with the utility’s Green Lane Pathway for Data Centres initiative. The initiative will streamline high-voltage electricity supply to an accelerated timeframe of 12 months.

AirTrunk will also provide land for Tenaga Nasional Berhad to build a new substation.

Founded in 2018, AirTrunk currently has 12 facilities across Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, in addition to Malaysia. Its hyperscale platform offers nearly 1.8GW of total capacity.

In September, Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired AirTrunk for $16.1 billion, the largest-ever deal in the space. DCD reported in January 2023 that AirTrunk was up for sale, with Macquarie and PSP having decided to dispose of their asset after shelving a previous plan for an IPO.

Johor has become a popular market for data center operators, with the likes of Keppel, Princeton Digital, STT GDC, Yondr, and Equinix having a presence in the region.