True Internet Data Centre Company Limited, also known as True IDC, a leading provider of data centre and cloud services in Thailand, is embarking on a substantial investment of over 10 billion baht to significantly expand its data centre and cloud business capabilities. This comprehensive investment plan spans three years, from 2024 to 2027, and includes large-scale projects such as the expansion of data centres at True IDC East Bangna Campus, and True IDC North Muangthong. Additionally, it encompasses a sustainability development projects to fully transform into a green data centre and an operational excellence initiatives. The investment will enhance the company's capabilities to support hyperscale businesses, OTT providers, and leading technology service providers from abroad entering Thailand and the ASEAN region.
Becoming the largest data centre in Thailand
The main investment will focus on expanding data centres, specifically the True IDC East, Bangna Campus, and True IDC North, Muangthong projects. The goal is to elevate the standards of data centres in Thailand to accommodate the entry of global-level businesses, such as large-scale computer system service providers (hyperscalers) like cloud and social media, Over-the-Top (OTT) internet media service providers like content streaming service, as well as businesses in other industries that adopt and develop technologies to deliver digital products and services, especially in the highly popular field of AI. Both projects will offer a service area of over 60,000 square meters, constructed according to Uptime and TIA-942 standards. This will provide flexibility to businesses through a build-to-suit service model, allowing customers to design various types of computer equipment setups, such as high-density computing that supports AI technology, liquid cooling computing, and the ability for customers to determine their own electricity usage within their space at a bigger scale with less restrictions. Additionally, there will be an expansion of electricity capacity by another 41 megawatts, making True IDC capable of providing services with the largest electricity capacity in Thailand when combined with the existing capacity. Furthermore, the projects aim to achieve the lowest Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) level in Thailand. The new data centres will provide carrier-neutral network through four diverse routes, ensuring seamless data access and transmission. They will also offer direct connections to international cloud services and internet exchange services that allow faster data exchange compared to conventional connections. The aforementioned data centre expansion projects are expected to be completed and ready for service in 2025.
Taking sustainability to the next level, from the digital foundation
The additional investment will be a sustainability development projects, aiming to transition towards a full-fledged green data centre. True IDC recognises that digital sustainability must be developed from the foundational infrastructure level. Therefore the development will happen simultaneously with the construction of data centres, starting from designing green buildings following the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards, emphasising environmentally friendly construction materials, and utilising systems and equipment that support sustainability, such as SF-6-free equipment and lithium-ion batteries. In terms of electricity, True IDC has previously installed solar cell systems in the data centre phase. In the upcoming phase, clean energy sources like wind and biofuel cells will be integrated. Additionally, electric vehicle charging stations will be installed outside the data centres, using electricity from solar panels on the parking roof area to encourage clean energy usage for data centre users. Furthermore, True IDC has set a goal to align with the Charoen Pokphand Group, aiming to become a carbon-neutral business by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030.
Combine intelligence with international standard operational practices
True IDC will focus on improving operational excellence of data centres. It aims to incorporate Artificial Intelligence Data Centre Infrastructure Management (AI DCIM) software, working in conjunction with IoT devices and smart sensors to efficiently store and process data from various equipment. This enables real-time monitoring and centralised analysis, enhancing oversight and maintaining a balanced temperature within the data centre, ensuring smooth operation of high-heat generating equipment. The entire data centre operation is aligned with the Uptime Institute's Tier III Gold standard, a certification held by True IDC as the sole provider in Thailand and Indochina. This certification covers proactive maintenance, concurrently maintainable, thorough system checks, which will be executed by highly skilled and experienced experts. This approach ensures worry-free IT operations for our customers.
Mr. Theerapun Charoensak, the General Manager of True IDC, revealed that “the data centre market in Southeast Asia is expected to grow significantly in 2024, with USDC Technology predicting a growth rate of up to 12.9%, resulting in a market value of $3.5 billion USD (equivalent to approximately 122.5 billion Thai Baht). Considering the Statista-forecasted growth in the adoption of AI technology in Asia from 2023 to 2030 which can be as high as 19.5%, True IDC recognises that this round of data centre projects investment will bring new opportunities for the Thai and ASEAN economies and boost improvement and sustainability for the digital lifestyle of individuals as our business establishes a foundation to accommodate the technological advancements of various businesses, especially in the digital and AI ages, where international players are actively entering the market. Despite being the number one data centre service provider in Thailand with over 20 years of operation, we aim to enhance our capabilities and develop services to meet the diverse needs of all businesses.”
Those interested in utilising True IDC's data centre and cloud system services or wishing to visit the data centre facilities can contact us for more details at www.trueidc.com/en/contact or call 02-494-8300.
