DCI Data Centers to build 40MW facility in Auckland

DCI Data Centers is reportedly gearing up to build a second data center in Auckland. The $600 million facility, dubbed AKL02, will be built this year in Albany. It will provide 40MW capacity and is slated for construction in mid-2022.

DCI Data Centers CEO Malcolm Roe says, "These two investments by DCI will collectively bring over NZD $600 million to the Auckland region, with a combined economic value exceeding NZD $1.4 billion over the life of the projects. Each data center will create more than 150 jobs during construction and approximately 250 ongoing skilled information technology and telecommunications jobs once the sites are operational."

He says the company consulted with government and industry stakeholders to design a data center that enables cloud technologies and improves data protection for New Zealand businesses.

"DCI AKL01 and AKL02 will be purpose-built, secure, environmentally-friendly cloud data centers designed specifically for the New Zealand market.

"These two investments by DCI will collectively bring over NZD $600 million to the Auckland region, with a combined economic value exceeding NZD $1.4 billion over the life of the projects. Each data center will create more than 150 jobs during construction and approximately 250 ongoing skilled information technology and telecommunications jobs once the sites are operational."

Last year the company announced plans to build its first data center in Westgate, Auckland. AKL01 is currently under development and expected to be ready for service in early 2023. The company has selected construction firm Naylor Love to build the facility.

"We intend to run our facilities in New Zealand from 100% renewable sources, and to set industry leading benchmarks for water and energy efficiency," Roe says.

Roe said in June 2021, "This site [AKL01] is the first step for us in New Zealand and we are currently finalising selection of further sites to meet strong demand. Increasing cloud use in New Zealand is driving the demand for several high capacity, environmentally-friendly data centers and other related infrastructure within the country. We are pleased to be playing a key role in the development of this vital part of the digital economy.

Auckland is a popular build spot for companies like DCI, Microsoft and Amazon, but New Zealand's regional data center market is also growing rapidly.

Lake Parime and Datagrid have announced plans to build data centers in the South Island. Datacom also operates a network of data centers in other regional centres.

*The story has been updated with additional information from DCI Data Centers. NZ Herald conducted the original reporting.