Actis launches Epoch Digital to boost data infrastructure in Asia

Actis has launched a new data centre platform in Asia named Epoch Digital, aiming to provide sustainable and trusted data centre solutions in key Asian growth markets. Initially, Epoch Digital will manage a portfolio with approximately 200 MW of IT capacity across projects in Taiwan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

Epoch Digital aspires to develop, own, and operate a scalable and geographically diversified portfolio of data centres in selective Asian markets where there is a significant demand from big tech and cloud service providers. Actis and Epoch Digital's leadership team are leveraging their extensive experience in the region to deliver these projects. The platform is meant to address the increasing data needs by providing sustainable data centre services.

The first project under Epoch Digital is a data centre with a 23 MW IT capacity located in Taipei, Taiwan. The second project will support 120 MW in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, designed to meet the data centre demand from Singapore after a moratorium on data centre development was implemented there in 2019. The third project involves a data centre development in Greater Seoul, South Korea.

Epoch Digital will be led by Chief Executive Officer Hak Kiat Chng and Chief Operating Officer Pei Ping Lim. The duo has a decade-long history of collaborating and has overseen the development of more than 250 MW of IT capacity in the targeted markets. This expertise is expected to effectively contribute to Epoch Digital's objectives.

Actis has a notable track record in the data centre space, having built or operated data centres worldwide with a total design IT capacity exceeding 300 MW, including several projects in Asia prior to the establishment of Epoch Digital. Actis has also been prominent in developing commercial hyperscale data centres in Seoul and is in the process of delivering two assets to hyperscaler customers.

Thomas Liu, Partner and Head of Greater China and Asia Data Centres, Real Estate at Actis, commented on the launch: "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 and Global Head of Data Centre Operations at Actis, noted: "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 lower PUE than the market average to bring a powerful and attractive offering to market."

Epoch Digital's Chief Executive Officer, Chng Hak Kiat, stated: "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 has committed over USD $1.5 billion to the digital infrastructure sector, further establishing its position in the market. Epoch Digital is set to play a significant role in meeting the growing data demands in Asia while adhering to sustainable practices.