KUALA LUMPUR: Google's hyperscale data centre at Elmina Business Park is being built by Sime Darby Property Bhd (SD Property) according to Google's customised specifications and infrastructure requirements.
SD Property said the lease arrangement with Google marked the first and only of its kind to-date by a developer in Malaysia.
The hyperscale data centre broke grounds today, and upon completion, the developer said it will be operated by Google.
SD Property expects to roll out more projects under this business model with high-calibre clients in technology-driven manufacturing and logistics businesses, in addition to the data centre space.
"SD Property is proud to establish Google's first hyperscale data centre in Malaysia at our Elmina Business Park and would like to thank Google for the trust placed in us.
"Our venture into this new economy asset class with a leading tech giant positions Elmina Business Park as a top destination for global tech firms," said SD Property group managing director Datuk Seri Azmir Merican.
He added that the Elmina Business Park represented SD Property's efforts as a responsible developer to the nation from both an economic and societal contribution perspective.
"It serves as a blueprint for our future business parks throughout Malaysia," he said.
The park is designed to support the digital economy with critical infrastructure, including large-scale water and energy solutions.
The development is expected to attract additional data centres, large-scale manufacturers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Upon full development of Elmina Business Park in 2035, the broader business ecosystem is projected to create 35,000 job opportunities to meet operational demands.
Google global director of data centre energy and location strategy Gary Demasi said it is pleased to have broken ground on its first data centre and cloud region campus in Malaysia at Elmina Business Park.
"We look forward to further potential collaboration with SD Property as part of our continued efforts to advance the country's goals of boosting its digital competitiveness and establishing itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence innovation," Demasi added.