Google held a groundbreaking ceremony today for its first data center and cloud region in Malaysia – located at Elmina Business Park, Selangor, the US$2 billion (~RM8.32 billion) investment is expected to boost digital infrastructure to meet the growing demand for Google Cloud services and AI innovations. The project is projected to contribute more than US$3.2 billion (~RM13.3 billion) in economic impact and create 26,500 jobs by 2030.
Google Brings $2bn Investment
During the event, which coincided with the “Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI” event, Google also revealed several partnerships to enhance digital skilling and sustainability efforts in the country. These build on the company’s existing collaborations with the Malaysian government, first established at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in 2023.
Google’s data center in Malaysia aims to improve cloud capabilities for local businesses and public sector organizations, by offering low-latency services and high-security standards for sectors such as healthcare, energy, and public services. Earlier this week, Google Cloud announced a partnership with Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX) to deliver sovereign cloud solutions to meet the specific regulatory requirements of these industries.
On the sustainability front, Google announced plans to use water-cooling technology at the data center to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The facility will employ a cooling system that uses 10% less energy compared to traditional air-cooled centers. Additionally, the software giant will collaborate with local organizations to restore Taman Aman Lake in Selangor, aiming to improve water quality and biodiversity in the area.
The company also plans to expand its Solar API service to Malaysia, which uses AI and satellite imagery to support the installation of rooftop solar energy solutions. This initiative is expected to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and create jobs in the solar sector. Early adopters of the service include the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and Gamuda.
In terms of digital skilling, Google reaffirmed its commitment to workforce development through its collaboration with organizations like UNICEF Malaysia, CelcomDigi, and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). The Future Skills for All initiative will train 260 teachers in Selangor, who will then educate up to 61,000 students.
Pokdepinion: It’s not every day you get to hear companies as big as Google making big investments in Malaysia.
