AirTrunk (hyperscale data center specialist) has announced plans to invest USD 3 billion in two new hyperscale data center campuses in Malaysia, expanding its existing footprint in Johor Bahru (JHB) and pushing the company's total committed investment in the country to approximately USD 6.8 billion.

Two New Campuses to Add 280MW of Capacity

The new facilities, designated JHB3 and JHB4, will be located in Iskandar Puteri in Johor and will deliver a combined capacity of more than 280 megawatts of IT load.

The campuses will be built in close proximity to AirTrunk's existing JHB1 and JHB2 facilities, consolidating what the company describes as a growing Johor platform.

With all four campuses included, AirTrunk's Malaysia operations will exceed 700MW of IT load in total. The existing JHB1 and JHB2 campuses together account for more than 420MW of that figure and are described by the company as almost 100 percent contracted and tracking ahead of investment plans.

The JHB2 campus was announced in early 2025 and has already attracted commitments from existing global cloud and artificial intelligence customers.

Purpose-Built for AI and Cloud Workloads

JHB3 and JHB4 are being designed specifically to support high-density cloud and AI workloads. The campuses will feature what AirTrunk describes as a flexible, scalable, and resilient design intended to operate at significantly lower power usage levels than conventional data centres.

Advanced cooling systems that utilise 100 percent recycled water will also be incorporated into both facilities, with the stated aim of minimising impact on local water resources.

AirTrunk says the design approach is intended to meet growing demand from global cloud and technology providers while addressing energy and water efficiency considerations.

Further Expansion Already Planned

AirTrunk has signalled that JHB3 and JHB4 will not represent the limit of its Malaysian ambitions. The company stated it is planning further expansion in Malaysia beyond those two campuses, though no specific details regarding additional sites or timelines were provided in the announcement.

The Johor announcement follows AirTrunk's disclosure the previous week that it intends to enter the Indian market, supported by a planned investment of more than USD 5 billion in the near term.

Robin Khuda, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AirTrunk, said the latest development represents the next phase of the company's Malaysian expansion and cited the partnership with the Malaysian government and local stakeholders as central to its confidence in the market.

"As we scale, the way we grow will matter as much as the trajectory," Khuda said. "With that investment comes a responsibility to support communities, manage resources wisely, and embed that in how we plan, build and operate every day."

Government Backing and Public-Private Partnership

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, welcomed the investment as consistent with the country's ambitions to become a leading digital and AI hub in the region.

He said the expansion reflects growing confidence in Malaysia and plays a role in advancing innovation, talent development, and long-term economic benefit.

The announcement also drew comment from Australia's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke, who described AirTrunk's investment as an example of closer collaboration between Australia and Malaysia in building digital infrastructure.

AirTrunk was founded in Australia and is described as Asia-Pacific and the Middle East's leading hyperscale data center platform.

Local Economic Impact and Supplier Commitments

The company has outlined a range of economic commitments tied to the development of all four campuses. AirTrunk says it has already awarded USD 107 million in contracts to local suppliers, and projects that figure will grow to USD 1.3 billion upon completion of all four campuses.

Construction of JHB3 and JHB4 is expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs during the build phase, with ongoing employment opportunities for local talent once the campuses are operational. The company has also committed to establishing partnerships with local suppliers and contractors to support the regional industry.

Community and Education Initiatives

Beyond the direct economic impact, AirTrunk has outlined a series of community-focused programmes connected to its Johor operations. The company has entered a collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to provide multi-year STEM scholarships and industry engagement aimed at supporting pathways into technology and engineering careers.

On the environmental side, AirTrunk has partnered with Gravity Water and Water Watch Penang to deliver rainwater-harvesting solutions providing potable water to schools across Johor.

The company has framed these initiatives as part of a broader commitment to supporting local communities through education, digital inclusion, and social impact programs that build pathways into future careers.

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