PLDT Group has revealed plans to construct its 12th data center through its subsidiary, ePLDT, in an effort to expand its operations in the Asia Pacific region,
The upcoming data center will have a total power capacity of 100 megawatts (MW), twice the capacity of the company’s 11th data center, VITRO Sta. Rosa, which is currently being built at a cost of $350 million.
Once completed early next year, VITRO Sta. Rosa will become the largest and most advanced data center in the country, boasting a capacity of 50MW.
While the exact investment for the 12th facility has not been disclosed by ePLDT, industry standards suggest that data center construction typically costs between $7 million to $12 million per megawatt of commissioned IT load. As a result, ePLDT’s latest facility could require an investment ranging from $700 million to as much as $1.2 billion.
The addition of the 12th data center will significantly increase the ePLDT Group’s data center market capacity share to 65 percent, allowing them to meet the growing demands from hyperscalers, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), banks, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, carriers, and government clients.
Upon the activation of VITRO Sta. Rosa and the completion of the 12th data center, ePLDT’s total power capacity will reach approximately 200MW. This expansion aligns with predictions of a 13 percent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in data center operational space in the Philippines from 2020 to 2025, driven by the recent surge of hyperscalers and the significant interest of global enterprises in the country.
During the W. Media Philippines Cloud and Datacenter Convention 2023, ePLDT President and CEO Victor S. Genuino emphasized that the decision to construct the 12th data center is based on customers’ needs. He also highlighted ePLDT’s vision to enhance the country’s regional competitiveness and attract crucial investments.
In the past, data centers have silently played a fundamental role in the digital agenda, particularly in the Philippines. However, according to Genuino, the perception is changing, and both governments and enterprises now recognize the integral role the industry plays in securing our digital future.
ePLDT has witnessed a remarkable 14% increase in ICT revenues, primarily driven by the provision of data center and cloud services.
PLDT affirms that its continuous expansion of data centers is sustaining its growth by attracting new businesses. With the industry sector increasingly embracing digital transformation initiatives and the growing demand for ICT services from both local and global businesses, the company anticipates a surge in revenues.