Equinix has opened its first two data centers in Malaysia.

The two International Business Exchange data centers in Johor (JH1) and Kuala Lumpur (KL1) are now up and running and serving the company’s customers in Malaysia and beyond.

JH1 was initially announced in 2022, when Equinix said it was investing $40 million to provide capacity for 500 cabinets across 21,100 sq ft (1,960 sqm) of colocation space.

A year later, the company said it was developing KL1 to provide an initial capacity of 450 cabinets and colocation space of 14,000 sq ft (1,300 sqm). When fully built, it will have a total of 900 cabinets and colocation space of 28,300 sq ft (2,630 sqm.)

Jeremy Deutsch, president for Asia-Pacific at Equinix, said: “Malaysia is a cornerstone market and top destination that is highly sought after by our valuable customers. Our unwavering dedication to the Southeast Asia region underscores our belief in its immense potential to drive digital transformation and accommodate a growing digital-savvy population.

“We are dedicated to delivering exceptional digital infrastructure solutions that empower businesses to thrive in this dynamic landscape, fuelling innovation, economic growth, and societal advancement.”

Equinix claims companies in the fintech, gaming, and AI industries have already chosen to deploy on its platform in Malaysia. It has not revealed details of the capacity of the facilities, but says both are covered by 100 percent renewable power.

Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s minister of investment, trade, and industry, said: “Equinix's decision to expand its presence here reflects its continued confidence in Malaysia’s industrial landscape.

“These data centers will provide businesses, particularly domestic SMEs, with seamless connectivity and access to a vast global network, while driving innovation across diverse sectors in Malaysia. Most importantly, Equinix's investment will pave the way for the creation of high-value job opportunities and propel economic growth, empowering our people and businesses to excel in the digital age.”

Equinix will soon have a new neighbor in Johor, with Microsoft having acquired a plot of land there where it is likely to build a data center.

Other recent developments in Malaysia include real estate firm Sime Darby investing in a data center site in the city of Elmina, which it will lease to an international tech business.