AirTrunk Expands in Malaysia with Two New Hyperscale Sites

AirTrunk is expanding its data centre footprint in Malaysia with plans to develop two new hyperscale campuses in Johor Bahru, adding more than 280MW of IT capacity to support growing cloud and AI demand.

The Asia-Pacific and Middle East data centre platform confirms it will invest MYR12bn (US$3bn) in the developments, known as JHB3 and JHB4. Located in Iskandar Puteri, the new sites will sit close to the company’s existing JHB1 and JHB2 campuses, forming a larger interconnected hub for digital infrastructure.

With the addition of these facilities, AirTrunk’s total capacity in Malaysia will exceed 700MW across four campuses, supported by total committed investment of around MYR27bn (US$6.8bn).

Scaling hyperscale infrastructure in Malaysia

The Johor expansion reflects sustained demand for high-density compute environments, particularly as AI workloads require greater power and performance.

Hyperscale data centres – large facilities designed to support cloud providers and technology companies at scale – are increasingly central to this demand.

JHB3 and JHB4 are designed specifically for these requirements, with flexible layouts that allow capacity to scale as customer needs evolve. The campuses will support high-density deployments while maintaining operational resilience across critical systems.

AirTrunk’s existing campuses in Johor Bahru are already nearing full utilisation. JHB1 and JHB2, which together provide more than 420MW of IT load, are almost fully contracted and ahead of initial investment expectations. This level of demand informs the decision to accelerate further development in the same region.

Robin Khuda, Founder and CEO of AirTrunk, outlines the company’s direction. 

“JHB3 and JHB4 represent the next phase of our expansion in Malaysia, building on the strong momentum of our existing Johor platform,” says Robin.

“Malaysia has set a clear ambition to lead in AI, and we’re investing in that vision for the long term, both within Johor and across the country in time. Our confidence comes from the strong partnership we have with the Malaysian Government and local stakeholders, who have supported us every step of the way. As we scale, the way we grow will matter as much as the trajectory. With that investment comes a responsibility to support communities, manage resources wisely, and embed that in how we plan, build and operate every day.”

Energy efficiency and resource management

Energy use remains a central consideration in hyperscale design. Data centres consume large amounts of electricity to power servers and cooling systems, making efficiency a key performance metric.

AirTrunk states that JHB3 and JHB4 will operate at lower power usage levels than conventional facilities. Power Usage Effectiveness – a measure of how efficiently energy is used within a data centre – is a common benchmark, with lower values indicating more efficient operations.

Cooling systems are also a focus, with the campuses set to use 100% recycled water. This approach reduces reliance on potable water supplies and limits environmental impact, particularly in regions where water resources are under pressure.

These design choices reflect a broader trend across the sector, where operators balance increasing compute density with constraints on energy and water availability.

Malaysia’s policy direction supports this approach. YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Malaysia, says: “Malaysia is committed to strengthening its position as a leading digital and AI hub in the region. Our ambition is to be at the forefront of the digital and AI economy, supported by strong infrastructure, a robust ecosystem and responsible development in digital infrastructure. 

“Investments like AirTrunk’s Johor expansion reflect growing confidence in Malaysia and play an important role in advancing innovation, talent development and long-term economic benefit for both the community and the environment. We welcome AirTrunk’s data centre investment that align with our vision of efficiency, sustainability and the use of clean energy.”

Economic impact and regional development

Beyond capacity, the expansion is expected to deliver economic activity across Johor and the wider Malaysian market. Construction of JHB3 and JHB4 is projected to create more than 3,000 jobs, with additional roles supported once the facilities become operational.

AirTrunk is also increasing engagement with local suppliers and contractors. The company has already awarded MYR423m (US$107m) in contracts locally, with this figure expected to rise to MYR5bn (US$1.3bn) as development progresses across all four campuses.

Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke, Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, highlights the international dimension of the investment. “AirTrunk’s investment is a good example of how Australia and Malaysia are working more closely together in building digital infrastructure. It supports Malaysia’s growth in the digital economy while also strengthening the connection between our two countries.”

In parallel, AirTrunk is supporting community initiatives linked to digital skills and infrastructure resilience. These include partnerships with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to provide STEM education and scholarships, as well as programmes focused on water access and disaster response.

Expanding regional capacity

The Malaysia expansion forms part of a wider growth strategy across Asia-Pacific. AirTrunk recently announces its entry into India, supported by planned investment exceeding US$5bn, further extending its presence in high-growth digital markets.

Following completion of JHB3 and JHB4, the company’s global portfolio will exceed 3.3GW of operating and planned capacity across 22 campuses in Australia Singapore Japan Malaysia Hong Kong and India.

This scale reflects the increasing role of hyperscale data centres in supporting cloud services artificial intelligence and digital platforms, with Johor Bahru emerging as a key location for regional infrastructure deployment.