Equinix cues $144-M outlay for 5th data centre in Singapore

Equinix is investing an initial amount of US$144 million for the expansion of Platform Equinix with its fifth International Business Exchange (IBX) data centre in Singapore, to be named SG5. 

This first phase of SG5 is scheduled to open in first half of 2021 with an initial capacity of more than 1,300 cabinets. It is purpose-built and intended to meet growing demand for cloud connectivity for enterprises as they transform digitally.

With Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative in mind, the addition of the SG5 IBX to Platform Equinix will provide essential digital infrastructure support and global connectivity that will enable enterprises to build and expand their cloud ecosystems to fast-track their digital advantage.

At full buildout, SG5 is targeted to provide about 5,000 cabinets, with a total colocation space of close to 129,000 square feet or 12,000 square meters.

The nine-story facility will be located at the Tanjong Kling data centre park. This will strengthen Equinix’s cross-island presence and location diversity, with four of Equinix’s current IBX data centres strategically spread across the island. 

SG5 will be directly connected to the four existing Equinix IBX data centres in Singapore via low-latency dark fibre links and will enable customers to securely interconnect with more than 705 companies in the market. 

Customers will be able to choose from a broad range of network services from over 200 providers, and interconnect directly to customers and partners in their digital supply chain.

Also, SG5 follows in this vein and will adopt a number of green features for efficient energy use. These include motion-activated LED lights, automated control and regulation of motors, as well as hot aisle containment and ceiling plenum infrastructure. Recycled NEWater will also be used for cooling purposes, which is an energy-saving process that is aligned with the Singapore government’s green initiatives.

Through Equinix Fabric — formerly Equinix Cloud Exchange Fabric — customers can connect to cloud on-ramps to set up direct connectivity with international and local cloud service providers including AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure.

“As the global economy and the Asia-Pacific region continue to grow, we see a strong demand for digital infrastructure to support business growth,” said Jeremy Deutsch, president of Equinix Asia-Pacific. 

“The SG5 IBX data centre aims to create more opportunities for enterprises in the region to build a strong digital foundation, enabling them to develop into the digital leaders of tomorrow,” said Deutsch.