Singapore-based ST Telemedia Break Ground On First Data Centre In Johor

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Singapore-headquartered ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) today held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first data centre facility in Johor.

Known as STT Johor 1, the facility was officiated by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the STT Johor data centre campus, reinforcing the state’s commitment to advancing digital infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.

STT GDC, one of the world’s fastest-growing data centre providers, has  strategically located its Johor data centre campus in Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, just 15 kilometres from Singapore.

In a statement today, STT GDC Malaysia country head Darryll Sinnappa said that the STT Johor data centre campus marks a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to deliver advanced digital infrastructure, supporting Malaysia’s ambitions to grow its digital economy leadership in the region.

“Equally important is our commitment to developing local talent through our partnership with Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC), which will create a skilled workforce to support this growth,” he added.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid emphasised that the STT Johor 1 ground-breaking is a testament to the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 in action.

“Beyond being a hyper-scale data centre, it serves as a launchpad for innovation, talent development, and sustainable economic growth. MIDA remains steadfast in facilitating high-impact investments that drive technological advancements while ensuring inclusive progress,” he said.

Spanning 8.90 hectares, the Johor campus has a development potential of 120 megawatts (MW) of IT load, with STT Johor 1 being the first facility to be built. Designed with an IT load capacity of 16MW, it is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026.

The strategic location ensures seamless connectivity, including integration with STT Singapore 5, STT GDC’s regional interconnection hub, supporting the growing demand for cloud and high-performance computing.

The facility will be equipped to handle advanced computational workloads for enterprises, government agencies, and cloud service providers, enabling rapid deployment of resource-intensive applications. It will also support cutting-edge research, complex simulations and data-driven decision-making.

Beyond STT Singapore 5, STT Johor 1 will be connected to STT Kuala Lumpur 1 and STT GDC’s other data centre interconnection hubs in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines via a Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) service, providing customers with highly reliable access to business opportunities in key regional economies.  

In line with Malaysia’s green ambitions, the STT Johor campus will be powered by renewable and low-carbon energy sources.

STT GDC is in discussions with several renewable energy providers to secure clean electricity for STT Johor 1's operations. These clean energy solutions aim to achieve industry-leading energy efficiency while minimising the facility’s environmental footprint.

 STT GDC and the JTDC have signed a memorandum of understanding to spearhead industry talent development for the growing data centre sector, aligning with the goals of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

This partnership aims to nurture a skilled local workforce, strengthen digital economy growth, and position Johor as a hub for data centre expertise in Southeast Asia, according to STT GDC

“By supporting Malaysia's data centre industry and ensuring a steady supply of qualified experts, this initiative also contributes to broader Singapore-Johor economic cooperation,” STT GDC said, adding that Johor’s growing expertise will help attract global investments.

According to statistics, Malaysia’s data centre industry is experiencing remarkable growth, with a development pipeline of 1.4GW planned over the next five years, representing a growth of 264 per cent.

This expansion is expected to drive the industry's revenue to RM3.6 billion by 2025, further solidifying Malaysia's position as a key digital infrastructure player in the region.

-- BERNAMA