CapitaLand acquires its first hyperscale data centre campus in China for RMB3.66 billion
Expansion into one of the world’s largest data centre markets reinforces CapitaLand’s ambition to grow data centres into a global business
Singapore, 28 April 2021 – CapitaLand is investing RMB3.66 billion (approximately S$757.7 million1) to acquire its first hyperscale data centre campus in China, the world’s second largest data centre market and the largest in Asia Pacific2. 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
"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."
"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."
"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."
In Asia Pacific, the data centre industry is forecast to grow at a double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 20243. China’s data centre market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 30%4, supported by strong demand from cloud service providers and new emerging wholesale customers5.
Located near the heart of Shanghai in Minhang District, the hyperscale data centre campus is well-connected by public transport and highway networks. The campus is operated by Daily-Tech, a developer and operator of data centres across China. In line with CapitaLand’s 2030 Sustainability Master Plan, the data centre campus adopts sustainable design principles and green building standards. These include features to reduce energy such as intelligent energy management systems, free cooling and energy-efficient chillers.
CapitaLand’s data centre portfolio
The Group currently has four data centres in Singapore, 11 in Europe, and it is the fund and asset manager for the development of a data centre in Korea. In Singapore, CapitaLand owns 9 Tai Seng Drive under its balance sheet and operates the data centre, while Ascendas Reit owns three data centres - Telepark, Kim Chuan Telecommunications Complex and 38A Kim Chuan Road. In March 2021, Ascendas Reit’s data centre portfolio expanded to the United Kingdom (four properties), the Netherlands (three properties), France (three properties) and Switzerland (one property).
Leveraging CapitaLand’s fund management capabilities, the Group set up its first data centre private fund with 100% third-party capital in October 2020. The Korea Data Centre Fund 1 will invest in an off-market data centre development project in South Korea, near Seoul’s key business districts and adjacent to SangAm Digital Media City. CapitaLand originated and structured the investment for the fund investors and will lead the planning and development of the data centre as well as earn fee income as a fund and asset manager.
With this latest acquisition, the Group’s combined data centre portfolio represents more than S$2.5 billion in real estate assets under management.
CapitaLand’s presence in China
Since CapitaLand’s entry into China in 1994, it has expanded its portfolio to more than 200 properties in over 40 Chinese cities. The Group’s diversified portfolio in China currently comprises commercial, retail, business park, integrated development, urban development, lodging and residential. CapitaLand has identified five core city clusters to focus its growth in China. They are Shanghai/Hangzhou/Suzhou/Ningbo, Beijing/Tianjin, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, Chengdu/Chongqing/Xi’an and Wuhan.
Notes:
1 Exchange rate of RMB1 to S$0.20703.
2 Data Centre Dynamics: APAC cloud, data centre providers see brisk growth.
3 Cushman and Wakefield: Data centres in Southeast Asia poised for rapid growth.