GDS and TNB announce partnership

GDS has announced that it has signed a supplemental agreement with Malaysia-based utility firm Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to power its data center campus in Malaysia. Through the Electricity Supply Agreement (ESA), the company's Nusajaya Tech Park Phase 1 Data Centers will start operations with an interim supply of 16MW in July 2023 and a permanent supply of 85.5MW in 2023.

GDS has committed to achieving carbon neutrality and 100% renewable energy usage by 2030 and outlined that the collaboration with TNB in the adoption of renewable energy is part of its sustainable development efforts. This, William Huang, the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GDS, said includes a smart green solution, including rooftop solar with GSPARX, dark fibre connection with ALLO, and "new green technology with TNB Renewables."

Speaking more broadly about the agreement, Huang said: "We are very delighted to deepen our relationship with TNB. With TNB's unwavering commitment in providing reliable electricity supply to our data center campus in Johor Bahru, GDS is well-positioned to offer world-class data center services in the region, further strengthening Malaysia's digital infrastructure and accelerating its digital transformation and growth."

Meanwhile, Dato' Indera Ir. Baharin Din, CEO of TNB commented: "We are confident that our collaboration with GDS has great potential to benefit both parties as well as Malaysians. TNB will extend its collaboration into the provision of smart energy solutions."

Adding: "This collaboration is one of many initiatives that is accelerating the growth of the nation's digital economy, which is further driven by the increased usage of cloud-based services, IoT, big data analytics and the rapid pace of digitalization in the region."