AirTrunk has secured US$2.325 billion (RM9.5 billion) in green financing under its Green Financing Framework to support the sustainable development of its JHB2 hyperscale data centre campus in Johor Bahru, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building the digital infrastructure that underpins Malaysia’s growing cloud and AI economy responsibly.
The financing is the largest green project finance transaction for a single data centre in Malaysia and AirTrunk’s largest single-asset financing to date. It demonstrates how sustainable finance can accelerate the development of efficient digital infrastructure, while delivering measurable environmental outcomes and creating lasting value for local communities.
The funding will support the development of JHB2, which is designed to achieve industry-leading energy and water efficiency, targeting a design Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.37 and utilising advanced water-efficient cooling technology.
Margin savings generated through the transaction will continue to support AirTrunk’s social impact program in Malaysia. These include recycled water programs in schools through Gravity Water and Water Watch Penang, disaster relief through MERCY Malaysia and STEM Education initiatives with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), helping deliver positive environmental and social outcomes alongside digital infrastructure investment.
Pei Jet (PJ) Lim, AirTrunk Vice President & Country Head, Malaysia, said: “This green financing demonstrates how digital infrastructure can be developed responsibly. As one of the largest issuers of sustainable finance in the global data centre industry, we will continue to invest in infrastructure that prioritises energy and water efficiency while ensuring the benefits extend beyond our campuses through meaningful contribution to support local communities.”
Edmund Tan, AirTrunk Senior Director, Treasury Loans, said: “This transaction reflects the strength of AirTrunk’s sustainability credentials and the confidence leading global financial institutions have in our long-term strategy. Structured around transparent environmental KPIs, the financing supports our pathway to net zero by 2030 while reinforcing our commitment to building efficient digital infrastructure that creates long-term value for our customers, communities and investors.”
Global Financial Support for Sustainable Growth
A consortium of 30 local and international financial institutions backed the green loan, making it one of the largest lending groups assembled for a data centre financing in Malaysia.
The transaction marks AirTrunk’s first financing from International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, establishing a long-term partnership with the institution.
The financing was led by 10 Global Coordinators – BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, DBS Bank Ltd., ING Bank N.V., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Société Générale, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, and United Overseas Bank Limited.
CIMB Bank, Clifford Capital Credit Solutions Pte. Ltd., International Finance Corporation, National Bank of Kuwait, and Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited served as Mandated Lead Arrangers, Underwriters and Bookrunners.
Green Loan Coordinators were Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, DBS Bank Ltd., ING Bank N.V., The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC). The balance of the syndicate included a broader group of regional and international lenders.
The financing builds on AirTrunk’s broader sustainability strategy, which combines investment in energy-efficient infrastructure, renewable energy procurement, water stewardship and community partnerships to support the responsible growth of cloud and AI infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region.
FC’s Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Asia Pacific, Vikram Kumar, said: “Digital infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to economic development and competitiveness, and it must be built sustainably. We’re pleased to partner with AirTrunk on this landmark financing, which demonstrates how development capital can support energy efficient infrastructure that strengthens Malaysia’s digital economy while delivering measurable environmental outcomes. This Green Loan also delivers blue impact through the implementation of water efficiency technology defined as per IFC Blue Finance Guidelines Version 2.0.”
Antoine Rose, Head of Sustainable Banking for Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Crédit Agricole CIB, said: “We’re proud to support AirTrunk once again as Green Loan Coordinator on this landmark transaction. As sustainable finance continues to evolve, investors increasingly demand financing structures that link capital with transparent environmental performance. This facility demonstrates how innovative financing can help accelerate the delivery of efficient digital infrastructure while supporting Malaysia’s ambitions to become a leading digital economy.”
Amit Sinha, Global Head of Telecommunications, Media and Technology, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank Ltd. said: “AI and digital services are reshaping economies across Asia, driving unprecedented demand for resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure. Financing solutions must evolve alongside this growth. We’re pleased to be building on this longstanding partnership with AirTrunk on a transaction that combines the scale required for future digital infrastructure with strong sustainability outcomes, helping position Malaysia as a leading hub for cloud and AI infrastructure in the region.”
Head of Telecommunications, Media and Technology & Healthcare Sector Coverage, Asia Pacific, Krishna Suryanarayanan, ING Bank N.V. said: “Sustainable finance delivers the greatest value when environmental commitments are embedded into the financing itself. This transaction demonstrates how ambitious performance targets, transparent reporting and measurable outcomes can be integrated into large-scale infrastructure projects. We’re pleased to support AirTrunk in continuing to raise the bar for sustainable financing within the global data centre sector.”
Chaoni Huang, Head of Sustainable Finance & Transition, Asia, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, said: “This transaction reflects growing confidence in Malaysia’s digital economy and sustainable infrastructure as long-term investment opportunities. We’re proud to have supported AirTrunk on another important benchmark for green digital infrastructure which demonstrates how sustainable finance can help enable responsible economic growth.”