Building the Foundation for a Data-Led Future

AirTrunk expedites APAC expansion, opening first hyperscale data centre in Hong Kong.

Founded in Sydney, Australia, AirTrunk has been rapidly creating a hyperscale data centre platform across the Asia-Pacific region. The company designs, builds and operates independent data centres currently in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, focused on providing technology companies with a scalable, customised and sustainable data centre solution where and when they need it.

“COVID-19 has driven rapid digital transformation that has changed the way we work, connect, learn and are entertained forevermore,” said Robin Khuda, Founder and CEO of AirTrunk. “To support these shifts, hyperscale data centres are providing the critical infrastructure to house our most precious resource – data. AirTrunk is well-positioned and well-equipped to enable this digital transformation for our customers. Our speed, scale and flexibility mean we’re responding to our customers’ needs now and for the future.”

Setting foot in Hong Kong amid APAC’s booming demand

JAccording to Khuda, cloud adoption is still in its early stages in Asia and is growing at a steep curve: “Asia is the fastest growing hyperscale data centre region in the world – driven by rapid population growth and digital adoption. The unprecedented demand for hyperscale infrastructure in the region by cloud providers presented an opportunity for AirTrunk to enter the Hong Kong market.”

He believes that the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) also drives regional demand for data centre solutions, “investment in innovation and technology in Hong Kong and the GBA presents an opportunity to advance the region into a global technology and financial hub.”
In 2020, the company opened its first data centre, HKG1 in the city. Located near Tsuen Wan, the eight-storey data centre is strategically located for international connectivity and is one of Hong Kong’s most efficient data centres, with an industry-low power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.35. HKG1 joins AirTrunk’s five other hyperscale data centres across the Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, Melbourne and two in Sydney. The company is now building what will be Asia Pacific’s largest independent data centre in Japan, expected to open by end of 2021.

“The opening of HKG1 demonstrates a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong as a prime location for data centres in Asia,” Khuda remarked, “we hope to leverage the city’s many advantages, such as sophisticated high-tech infrastructure, tech professionals and reliable power supply to realise our Asia expansion plan.”
InvestHK has supported AirTrunk all the way from construction to launch of HKG1. “InvestHK provides valuable advice and services to help businesses get the most out of their investment in the region. AirTrunk has had great success in the APAC region and we encourage overseas companies and entrepreneurs to capitalise on the unprecedented opportunities in Hong Kong,” Khuda concluded.