APAC data center developer AirTrunk has brought online a 1MW rooftop solar array at its JHB1 data center in Johor, Malaysia.

AirTrunk formally launched the data center in July 2024, following its initial announcement of 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.

The rooftop solar array was installed by solar developer Pekat Solar and is AirTrunk's first on-site renewable development within the Malaysian market.

Airtrunk said that the onsite system aims to complement a 30MW virtual power purchase agreement (vPPA) that AirTrunk signed with IB Vogt in February 2024. The vPPA was signed under Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Program, an initiative from the Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Malaysia’s Energy Commission), which enables businesses to sign vPPAs and participate in renewable energy projects in Malaysia.

Commenting on the installation, Pei Jet (PJ) Lim, AirTrunk’s VP and country head of Malaysia, said: “The rooftop solar system at JHB1 is a key step in AirTrunk’s renewable energy progress in Malaysia. Along with our VPPA and reduced energy consumption through liquid cooling, this project supports the energy transition as we continue to grow in Malaysia.”

“When integrated with load profiles and resilience needs, solar isn’t about firm supply, but long-term operational and commercial resilience. Done right, it can significantly cut grid reliance and emissions while supporting energy security for high‑availability assets,” added George Varikos, energy transition project lead, AirTrunk.

AirTrunk is currently developing a second data center in Johor. The company announced plans for the facility, dubbed JHB2, in February of last year. The data center is expected to be scalable to more than 270MW and brings the company’s total investment into the country to RM 9.7 billion ($2.2bn).

Founded in 2018, AirTrunk was acquired by Blackstone and CPPIB for US$16.1bn in 2024 in what was the largest-ever deal in the space at the time.

AirTrunk has data center campuses in operation and development in Sydney (x3) and Melbourne (x2) in Australia, as well as Singapore; Hong Kong; Johor, Malaysia; Tokyo (x2), and Osaka (x2), Japan.