Source: Bernamapix
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (third from left) viewing the Sea Data Center replica after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony.
On 25th August 2022, YTL Power International Berhad (YTL Power), through its subsidiary, YTL Data Center Holdings Pte. Ltd. (YTL DC) and Sea Ltd., the parent company of Shopee, celebrated a milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the Sea Data Center in Kulai. This marks Phase 1 of the 500MW YTL Green Data Center Park and a RM1.5bil investment into Johor, Malaysia.
The first phase will be a Tier-III certified facility equipped with best-in-class green power and connectivity which will be able to accommodate up to 72MW of capacity.
The YTL Green Data Park will be the largest of its kind regionally, spearheading Johor’s position as a world-class data hub. This is with the expertise and experience of YTL DC in building and managing data centers, fibre infrastructure and renewable energy.
The event was officiated by the Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who commented on how the Green Data Center Park will impact the state, “As Johor has grown exponentially over the past few years, we welcome developments such as these, particularly green and sustainable projects that will boost the state’s economy.” He adds that the digital economy has thrived since the pandemic, and the project will provide employment opportunities, making Johor attractive to foreign direct investments.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Development) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Ms. Lim Bee Vian, was also present to witness the event.
With Sea being the anchor tenant for YTL’s Data Center Green Park, the new three-storey green facility will help reduce its carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. The green building will feature 24 data hall suites, M&E rooms, office space, storage, and parking facilities. It is targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2024.
Ye Gang, Sea’s Co-founder & Group Chief Operating Officer shared his thoughts on the project, “This essentially means that YTL will be able to meet the infrastructure, power, and connectivity needs of our operations in the region, with Johor’s state government and MIDA as our key expansion partners. We are committed to investing in the growth of the digital economy in Malaysia, and in Johor in particular, and contributing to Malaysia’s Digital Economy Agenda.”
Dato’ Yeoh Seok Hong, Managing Director of YTL Power added, “This marks a new phase of our partnership with Sea Ltd. We are excited to provide world class, green infrastructure to our partners using our Group’s deep expertise in solar energy, data centers, telecommunications, construction and property development. With the overwhelming interest that we have received, it is our vision that the YTL Green Data Center Park will be the largest and most successful of its kind in Asia.”
Representatives from various state and federal organizations, including the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as well as other distinguished guests were also present for the ceremony.
The YTL Green Data Center Park is expected to be a catalyst for the digital infrastructure in Johor. It is expected to encourage the local economy by creating a conducive, productive and competitive business environment which will transform Johor’s economy by tapping into new high-growth areas and simultaneously, improve the social well-being and quality of life for Malaysians.
Earlier this April, YTL DC had announced the development of the 275 acres of data center campus in Kulai, the largest data center park in Malaysia.
