DayOne Expands Johor Water Treatment Plant for Data Center in Malaysia

DayOne Data Centers Limited, a Singapore-headquartered global digital infrastructure platform, will double the self-treated water capacity at its Kempas Tech Park Water Treatment Plant (KTP-WTP) in Johor, Malaysia, to 20 million liters per day under a Phase 2 expansion announced on November 5, 2026.

The expansion builds on Phase 1 of the operating plant and is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2027. According to the company, the added capacity will support long-term resilience and future growth at the site.

A First for Malaysia's Data Center Sector

The facility is the first water treatment plant of its kind in Malaysia to draw and treat river water on-site for data center cooling. It uses locally developed ultra-filtration membrane technology to produce industrial-grade water.

Phase 1 has been operational since March 2026 and has already been providing capacity above current requirements, eliminating the campus' reliance on municipal potable water for cooling.

Resource Planning Behind the Investment

DayOne says the investment reflects its approach to responsible growth: anticipating critical resource needs and developing alternative supply infrastructure at scale to minimize the impact on local community resources while supporting economic development. "Our role extends beyond developing digital infrastructure to the impact we have on the economies, communities, and the environment in which we operate.

KTP-WTP shows responsible execution in practice. Phase 2 will expand that capacity as we grow, supporting Johor's sustainable development and enhancing the well-being of the people who call it home. We aim to deliver lasting value beyond our campuses through initiatives that strengthen communities and the stewardship of shared resources," said Jamie Khoo, Chief Executive Officer of DayOne. Luis Canepari, Executive Vice President, Global Delivery and Operations at DayOne, also attended the announcement.

State Government Backs Digital Ambitions

"Johor has a clear ambition to be a leading destination for digital infrastructure and AI in the region. Achieving that ambition is not only about attracting investment, but ensuring that growth creates quality jobs, strengthens local businesses, and is supported by resilient infrastructure.

DayOne has been part of this journey for about four years now, and I am pleased to see the company continuing to deliver on its commitments to the state and Johoreans," said YAB Dato' Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor. Also present were YB Tuan Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee, and YB Dr. Muhammad Naqib bin Md Ghazali, Chairman of the Johor State Education and Information Committee.

Flood Monitoring Along the Tebrau River

Alongside the expansion, DayOne is advancing environmental initiatives in Johor. The company plans to install smart cameras along the Tebrau River and the surrounding drainage network, connected to Johor Bahru City Council's monitoring system, to detect rising water levels and support timely flood mitigation.

MYR 6 Million Committed to Welfare and Education

DayOne has committed an additional MYR 3 million to the Welfare and Education Fund, bringing its total contribution to MYR 6 million, with plans to maintain annual contributions in the coming years.

The fund is administered by the Johor Education Foundation and supports the Bangsa Johor Pilot School (SRBJ) program, which strengthens learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through digital technology.

Kempas Tech Park and the Dual Campus Strategy

KTP-WTP sits within Kempas Tech Park, one of DayOne's two hyperscale data center campuses in Johor. Together with Nusajaya Tech Park, it forms the company's dual campus configuration in the state.

The Kempas Tech Park campus is being developed with resource efficiency embedded into its design, including rainwater reuse, water-efficient cooling systems, and buildings with LEED Platinum certification.

The expansion, the company says, underscores its commitment to planning ahead for critical resources, investing in innovative solutions, and working with local stakeholders to strengthen community resilience.