Epoch Digital and Actis Launches New Asian Data Centre Platform

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  • July 11, 2024

    20 June 2024

Epoch Digital and Actis Launches New Asian Data Centre Platform

SINGAPORE & LONDON, 20 June 2024: Actis, a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure, has announced the launch of Epoch Digital, a new integrated data centre platform in Asia with a current portfolio under development offering c.200MW of IT capacity across three identified projects and a strong pipeline for future growth.

Epoch Digital targets to develop, own and operate a scalable and geographically diversified portfolio of data centres across strategic and highly selective markets in Asia where hyperscale customers – big tech and cloud service providers – are growing with imminent demand, and where Actis and the leadership team of Epoch Digital enjoys a competitive advantage, with long track record and deep experience of investing in and developing infrastructure and real estate projects across many Asian growth markets. The platform will play a pivotal role in providing trusted and sustainable data centre services to meet rapidly growing data needs.

The first project is a 23MW IT capacity data centre in the heart of Taipei, Taiwan; the second will support 120MW in capacity in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and is aimed at meeting data centre demand from neighbouring country, Singapore, where a moratorium on data centre development was enacted in 2019; and the third development is for a data centre in Greater Seoul, South Korea.

Epoch Digital will be managed by a seasoned team led by Chief Executive Officer Hak Kiat Chng and Chief Operating Officer Pei Ping Lim, who have worked together for over a decade and led the full lifecycle development of more than 250MW of IT capacity in the target markets.

The platform builds on Actis’ strong track record in the data centre space, having built or operated data centres globally with a total design IT capacity of over 300MW, including three in Asia prior to the launch of Epoch Digital. As part of this Asian data centre experience, Actis has been at the forefront of developing commercial hyperscale data centres in Seoul and is on track to deliver two assets to hyperscaler customers.

Through Epoch Digital and its other data centre platforms, Actis is leveraging its deep expertise and capabilities in digital infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure to provide energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions to hyperscale customers that need to decarbonise.

Thomas Liu, Partner, Head of Greater China and Asia Data Centres, Real Estate at Actis, said: “The launch of Epoch Digital represents an exciting moment for Actis’ data centre strategy. Large, global tech hyperscalers are by far the largest drivers of data centre demand so it’s key we tailor our offering to those target tenants. As hyperscalers become strained for capacity in mature data markets, they are increasingly turning to Asian growth markets for their needs, where they require cost-effective, decarbonised and scalable data centres. This is precisely what Epoch Digital is designed to provide and we’re excited to work with Hak Kiat and Pei Ping to deliver this for its customers.”

Dalmar Sheikh, Director, Global Head of Data Centre Operations at Actis, commented: “Epoch Digital has all the attributes for success, especially when you consider the platform will be able to draw on the wider Actis network. The demand for data is rising exponentially and this is creating a large supply need that must be met both on the data centre and energy front. We’re focused on designing green data centres with a higher PUE than the market average to bring a powerful and attractive offering to market. The future looks bright for Epoch Digital.”

Chng Hak Kiat, Chief Executive Officer, Epoch Digital, commented: “The emergence of generative AI is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, driving the need for larger data centre capacities. This evolution highlights the critical synergy between data centre providers and IT tech giants, as they collaborate to support and enhance the infrastructure necessary for this technological revolution. Epoch Digital is well positioned within Asia Pacific in both mature and emerging markets to foster increased collaboration with our partners for this explosive growth potential.”

Actis’ investment in Epoch Digital further strengthens the firm’s position in the digital infrastructure market, with Actis having committed more than US$1.5 billion in the sector.

About Actis

Actis is a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure, delivering competitive returns for institutional investors and measurable positive impact for the countries, cities and communities in which it operates. Actis invests in structural themes that support long-term, equitable growth in defensive, critical infrastructure across energy transition, digitalization transition, and supply chain transformation.

The firm’s decades of global experience, operational know-how and strong culture allows it to create global sustainability leaders at scale. Since inception, Actis has raised $25 billion to invest in a better tomorrow. Actis is a signatory to the United Nations backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), an investor initiative developed by the UNEP FI. The firm has consistently been awarded the highest rating score in the UNPRI independent assessment.

You can learn more about Actis at https://www.act.is/

Epoch Digital

Epoch Digital is a trusted partner in delivering strategic digital infrastructures for the future, developing, owning and operating a scalable and geographically diversified portfolio of data centres across strategic and highly selective markets in Asia. The platform, established by Actis and led by an experienced leadership team, endeavours for partnerships built on foresight to power sustainable digital growth

Learn more about Epoch Digital at www.epochdigital.org.

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H-Advisors / Maitland

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