Equinix tops out JH2 as Malaysian expansion accelerates
Equinix had no operational data centres in Malaysia at the start of 2024. Soon it'll have four.
Equinix held a topping out ceremony for its JH2 data centre in Johor just over a week ago on 17 October. Here's what we know about it.
Did you know: Equinix had no operational data centres in Malaysia at the beginning of 2024. Very soon, it'll have four data centres. That's astounding growth.
JH2 in Johor
As I wrote previously, the upcoming JH2 data centre in Johor is located a short distance away from JH1, which is a 6MW facility launched in May 2024.
As of today, there's been no official announcement of JH2, and it is still not listed on Equinix's website. However, its ongoing construction has been independently verified.
Here's what we know. It will be ready for service by Q1 2027 with 7.2MW. It will be equipped with liquid cooling from launch. And future expansion will add substantial capacity.
According to a presentation deck dated 2024 I've seen, the plan is to build it up into a 77MW data centre campus. Plans can change, of course.
Good things come in pairs
In May, I wrote how Equinix's MD of Malaysia had previously confirmed his company is in the early planning stage for a KL2 data centre, directly across from KL1, which launched in 2024.
When KL2 and JH2 are completed, Equinix will have a total of four data centres in two clusters: one cluster in Johor, and another in Kuala Lumpur.
As I noted earlier, Equinix had no data centres in Malaysia before 2024. Today, it is on track to have four operational data centres, all of which are greenfield.
Equinix has a strong reputation for driving strong returns from its data centres. Clearly, it must see great potential in Malaysia to scale its presence so quickly.
Retrofitting for liquid cooling
Equinix is also fitting out its data centres in Singapore for direct-to-chip liquid cooling, according to photos shared by Equinix's Gavin O'Reilly last week. This will be available in SG3 and SG5 data centres within the next two months, according to Gavin.
Equinix has five operational data centres in Singapore, with the sixth due to open in 2027. SG1 is among the oldest in Singapore.
- SG2 launched in 2009.
- SG3 is adjacent to SG1.
- SG4 was retrofitted from a warehouse.
- SG5 was the tallest in Singapore when it launched in 2022.
- SG6, at 20MW, was allocated via the pilot DC-CFA and opens in 2027.
I had the chance to visit Equinix's SG5 data centre in Singapore in 2022. You can read my impressions of it here.
