Beijing-based data center operator ZDATA Technologies’s US$2 billion GP3 hyperscale data center in Johor has recently earned the distinction of being the first data center in Malaysia to achieve the Green RE Platinum certification, the highest sustainability ranking in the country, the company announced at a media forum yesterday. The announcement came a day after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BGMC Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd and reNIKOLA Holdings Sdn Bhd for the supply of 630,000 MWh of solar energy annually for its Gelang Patah facility.
The Green RE certification, established by the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) is comparable to Singapore’s Green Mark for Data Centres scheme. Criteria span across six categories, namely energy efficiency, water efficiency, sustainable site management, indoor environmental quality, materials and resources, and innovation in green policies. GP3 managed to score 100 points, higher than the minimum threshold of 91 points required to achieve a platinum ranking, said Computility Technology Sdn Bhd’s director, Yeo Yong Hwang. ZData operates in Malaysia under its subsidiary Computility Technology.
The 300MW campus will be built over five phases, with the first phase due to be operational by the end of March, according to Yeo. GP3, he added, will use 100 per cent reclaimed water which will come from two water treatment plants located next to the municipal treatment plants near the campus. Its Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio of about 1.2 falls below industry averages and indicates high energy efficiency thanks to its advanced closed-loop cooling technologies, high-efficiency uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and optimised power distribution architecture.
“These initiatives represent our commitment to responsible data center development,” said Yeo. “Our parent company has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2040, and Malaysia is where we begin this journey.”
The forum also addressed concerns raised by residents in the Nusa Bayu area near ongoing construction activities. Residents complained that the activities had resulted in dust pollution, noise, traffic disruptions, and flash floods.
State assemblyman for Kota Iskandar Datuk Pandak Ahmad clarified that ZDATA occupies only 38 acres of a larger 160-acre master development. Yeo confirmed that the current construction of GP3 covers only 18 acres consisting of Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 2 is currently under construction with operations expected to start in 2Q 2026. The remaining phases are scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. According to sources, an estimated US$820 million (RM3.25 billion) has been invested to date for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Yeo believed that much of the polluting activities came from other construction sites within the master development.
Economic benefits
The company had nevertheless undertaken mitigation measures including hourly water spraying along access roads, installation of dust netting and hydro-seeding on exposed soil, free car wash facility, strict enforcement of working hours, and regular monitoring by local authorities.
Upon completion, ZDATA expects to create 400-500 high-skilled positions with starting salaries from RM3,500. Recruitment is already underway with strong local interest reported. Beyond that, the presence of a data center also tends to stimulate multiplier economic effects for example, the creation of new businesses run by locals such as laundries, eateries, transportation and specialised support services. Additional infrastructure such as new access roads can also be expected to be built.
Some residents at the forum also requested for assistance with household cleaning due to the dust pollution, regular community engagement programs and support for local schools, to be included in the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility commitments.
“Data centers are not just infrastructure—they are partners in community development,” said Pandak. “With proper oversight, transparency, and shared commitment to sustainability, Johor’s digital transformation can deliver prosperity for all.”
Pandak also revealed that to date, the state has received 51 data center applications with projects concentrated in key areas such as Iskandar Puteri, Kota Iskandar, and Sedenak districts. Foreign Direct Investment has topped RM 110 million last year, driven by AI data center projects with investors coming from China, Japan and other countries. As reported earlier, the state only approves Tier 3 and Tier 4 facilities now as these feature higher energy efficiency, redundancy and minimal environmental impact.
ZDATA currently operates over 30 data centres in China with planned IT load expected to reach 5GW. Malaysia is its first data center investment outside of China.