France-based data center operator Etix Everywhere is considering establishing a second data center in Thailand to meet the growing demand driven by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) among enterprises.
Key Takeaways
- Etix Everywhere is planning a second data center in Thailand.
- The move is driven by rising AI adoption and data demand.
- The company aims to use 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Expansion Plans
Etix Everywhere, in collaboration with Interlink Telecom Plc (ITEL), operates the Etix Bangkok#1 data center in Samut Prakan through their joint venture, Etix Itel Bangkok Co. The company has already invested $20 million in phases 3 and 4 of this data center. Phase 3, completed in the first quarter of this year, added 1.5 megawatts (MW) of capacity at a cost of $11 million. Phase 4, currently in the design stage, will add another 1.5MW of capacity.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Etix Everywhere has installed over 6,000 square meters of solar panels at the Etix Bangkok#1 data center, which account for 11% of the center’s total energy consumption. These rooftop panels save approximately 480 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The company plans to increase the number of installed panels fivefold within three years. By 2025, Etix Everywhere aims to power the data center entirely with renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and solar power.
Market Potential
Thailand presents significant business opportunities for data centers, driven by data demand from neighboring countries and the recent surge in AI adoption. Although the Malaysian and Indonesian data center markets are currently larger, Thailand’s market is beginning to gain traction. The client base for data centers in Thailand is diversifying, with increasing interest from banks, international over-the-top providers, and cloud service giants like Amazon Web Services and Google.
AI-Driven Demand
The demand for AI capabilities is rising exponentially in Thailand. Businesses across various industries are leveraging AI technologies to gain insights, automate processes, and enhance decision-making. This surge in AI workload necessitates high-performance computing infrastructure and specialized hardware accelerators. Data center operators are responding by investing in AI-ready infrastructure, including graphics processing units and tensor processing units, to support intensive AI workloads efficiently.
Strategic Advantages
Thailand has several advantages in the AI race, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor, which is well-equipped to support large power capacities and offers vast land parcels suitable for building AI data centers. Collaborations with AI solutions providers and the integration of AI-driven analytics tools are becoming common, enabling businesses to derive actionable intelligence from large datasets and drive innovation.
Conclusion
Etix Everywhere’s consideration of a second data center in Thailand underscores the country’s growing importance in the data center and AI landscape. With a focus on renewable energy and AI-ready infrastructure, Etix Everywhere is well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of its clients and contribute to Thailand’s digital transformation.
Sources
- Bangkok Post – Etix mulls 2nd data centre, Bangkok Post.
