CapitaLand Acquires Its First Hyperscale Data Centre Campus in China for RMB3.66 Billion

Singapore, Singapore, May 06, 2021 --(PR.com)-- CapitaLand is investing RMB3.66 billion (approximately S$757.7 million) to acquire its first hyperscale data centre campus in China, the world’s second largest data centre market and the largest in Asia Pacific. The acquisition is via the purchase of 100% equity interest in two companies registered in China. Located in Minhang District, an established data centre hub in Shanghai, the operating data centre campus serves two of China’s largest telecommunications companies. The hyperscale data centre campus comprises four buildings with a gross floor area of up to 75,000 square metres and up to 55 megawatts of IT power capacity. CapitaLand is acquiring the data centre campus from AVIC Trust, an investment arm of Shanghai-listed AVIC Capital, and from an unrelated third-party vendor. The acquisition is expected to be completed by 3Q 2021, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions precedent.

CapitaLand’s strategic decision to expand into new economy assets such as data centres, capitalises on the increasing global connectivity and demand for data which has accelerated amid COVID-19. CapitaLand aims to grow its data centre portfolio into a global business by leveraging its in-house data centre design, development and operational capabilities.

Ms He Jihong, Chief Executive Officer, Data Centre, and Chief Corporate Strategy Officer, CapitaLand Group, said: “5G, artificial intelligence and big data are driving the growth of the digital economy and creating strong demand for data centres. Data centres are a growing new economy asset class and represent a global investment opportunity and a key strategic business focus for CapitaLand. We have built core competencies in data centre design, development and operations, and we will look to deploy our expertise to key markets as we grow our data centre portfolio globally. Our team has successfully redeveloped 9 Tai Seng Drive into a co-location data centre in Singapore, and leased it to leading technology customers. In recognition of the Group’s reputation as a sustainability leader, 9 Tai Seng Drive has also received the top rating of Green Mark Platinum for data centres by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority and Infocomm Media Development Authority. In Europe, CapitaLand’s business space and industrial REIT, Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust (Ascendas Reit) recently acquired 11 data centres in key markets that complement its existing data centre portfolio in Singapore, expanding its presence into key European data markets.”

Ms He added: “CapitaLand’s track record in developing high quality properties, and our commitment to delivering a seamless experience to our global customers, will continue to define and differentiate us. In our core markets, we will leverage our existing local expertise and networks to further grow our data centre portfolio. In addition to acquiring operating assets, we have the capability to develop data centres on greenfield sites and acquire brownfield projects, drawing on CapitaLand Group’s ecosystem of capital and business partners. For example, in China we are exploring opportunities with established partners such as AVIC Trust to invest more in this sector. In India, we are considering data centre opportunities in partnership with Ascendas India Trust.”

Mr Puah Tze Shyang, Chief Executive Officer, Investment and Portfolio Management, CapitaLand China, said: "CapitaLand’s entry into the data centre market in China will further diversify our portfolio across asset classes and build more operating capabilities. This is in line with the Group’s strategy to pivot into new economy assets in the country. We see strong potential to expand our data centre portfolio in cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and leverage our growing base of new economy assets to bolster our fund management business in tandem. We may also look for opportunities to take strategic positions in data centre operating platforms to accelerate our growth in a key market like China. CapitaLand has the resources and reach to help these platforms grow their presence in other parts of Asia. We will continue to look for new investments that stand to benefit from China’s economic transformation."

More: bit.ly/CLChinaDC