AUSTRALIAN data centre operator NextDC Ltd will build its first overseas data centre in Malaysia, bringing with it an estimated investment of RM3 billion in Malaysia (A$1 billion) over the next five to 10 years.
The Australian Securities Exchange Ltd (ASX) 100 technology company, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, will construct KL1, a 65-megawatt (MW) Colocation Data Centre to service cloud platform providers, enterprise and government customers throughout Malaysia.
It is designed to be the first Tier IV accredited data centre above 5MW in Peninsular Malaysia — making it the most technologically advanced, fault-tolerant, secure and sustainable by industry standards, according to details provided by its promoters.
NextDC’s investment will also accelerate the development of critical infrastructure required to advance Malaysia’s digital economy ambitions, as the new KL1 data centre is expected to attract global tech service providers who are increasingly seeking Tier IV capability.
The data centre will be located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
NextDC has also said that it will launch its new multidisciplinary regional operations centre, with Malaysia facilitating the company’s wider expansion into other Asian markets.
“In today’s interconnected world, data is the lifeblood of the global economy. That’s why digital economy cooperation is a priority under the Australia-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” said Australian parliamentarian Sam
Lim, a Malaysian-born who represented the Australian government.
The launch event in Kuala Lum- pur last week was attended by the Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
As of July 2020, NextDC operated 11 data centres around Australia, with facilities in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. — TMR
- This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition