AirTrunk has partnered with solar developer Pekat Solar to develop a rooftop solar array at its JHB1 data center campus in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
The rooftop solar project will supply 1MW of energy to the data center. This represents AirTrunk's first onsite renewable project in the Malaysian market.
“Onsite generation is an essential part of the suite of solutions in AirTrunk’s renewable energy roadmap. We are embedding sustainability into our operational DNA by utilizing available space on our campuses for solar power, reaffirming AirTrunk’s focus on developing and operating sustainable digital infrastructure,” AirTrunk energy transition director Katherine Tjandra said.
The onsite project will complement a larger virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) that AirTrunk signed with IB Vogt in February. Under the VPPA, IB Vogt will supply AirTrunk with energy from a 30MW solar array, currently under development.
The JHB1 campus was officially launched in July. The company first announced plans to expand into Malaysia early last year. Sat on 10 hectares, JHB1 will offer 21,900 sqm (235,750 sq ft) of space across 20 data halls and more than 150MW of capacity at full build-out.
AirTrunk has several campuses in operation or development across Australia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia and has previously signed renewable energy deals in Australia and Hong Kong.
In September, Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired AirTrunk for US$16.1 billion, the largest-ever deal in the space. DCD reported in January 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.