Asia-Pacific Strategic Investments, a real estate developer listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), has finalised deal to acquire Taiwanese sustainable data solutions provider Mobii Genius Co., Ltd for developing data centre facilities in Malaysia.
APS said it would acquire a 100 percent stake in Mobii for US$150 million (S$202 million). The company has expertise in constructing hospitality establishments and retirement communities. This would be its first venture into the data centre business.
While it did not disclose details on location and specifications of planned facilities, the SGX filings said Mobii has identified two locations in Malaysia for development with an estimated aggregate size of 30,000 square metres.
APS said it will be leveraging 'proprietary green technology' from Mobii Genius, a subsidiary of Taiwanese renewable energy solutions firm Mobii Green Energy Co., Ltd. The technology is powered by chips “specially manufactured in partnership with an international GPU company.”
Mobii Genius will also provide carbon-neutral computing equipment at the upcoming facilities such low-power processors and energy-efficient data processing algorithms.
APS said energy consumption within the data centres will also be actively optimised by Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven monitoring systems and its insights.
The acquisition has a target completion date of Q4 2024, with the first data centres expected to be built in Southeast Asia by 2025.
APS CEO Dr Choo Yeow Ming said the firm has traditionally focused on the hospitality business and this new acquisition will be a step forward in revitalising APS and enhancing shareholder value.
"We now look to grow sustainably alongside the climate resilience of the tech industry," he added.
SGX filings noted APS group’s real estate development business in China has been “affected by the real estate crisis in China” and resulted in operating losses, leading the company looking to explore new investments and acquisitions.
APS hopes that entering into the data centres investment, construction and development business will allow it to expand revenue stream and present an opportunity to acquire a business with potential for growth.