{"id":100000112812,"date":"2026-09-29T15:16:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T07:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/johor-thailand-data-centre-boom-fit-out\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:19:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T07:19:27","slug":"johor-thailand-data-centre-boom-fit-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/johor-thailand-data-centre-boom-fit-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Johor and Thailand&#8217;s Data Centre Boom: A Fit-Out Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Southeast Asia&#8217;s data centre boom has two clear hotspots outside Singapore: <strong>Johor<\/strong>, just across the Causeway, and <strong>Thailand&#8217;s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)<\/strong>, centred on Chonburi and Rayong. Both have attracted extraordinary investment commitments. Both are now learning that announcing capacity and energising it are different things.<\/p>\n<p>For architects, interior designers, contractors and suppliers, the question is practical. Which projects will actually be built, when, and what will their fit-outs need? This guide summarises where each market stands in late 2026 and what it means for the teams delivering the buildings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The short version:<\/strong> Malaysia and Thailand have huge data centre pipelines, but both governments are becoming more selective, screening projects on <strong>power, water, sustainability and local economic contribution<\/strong>. Projects that pass that screening tend to be larger, greener and more demanding. That means higher expectations for documented, durable and low-emission fit-out materials, and for suppliers with a regional presence.<\/p>\n<h2>Malaysia: From Investment Volume to Delivery<\/h2>\n<p>Malaysia approved RM218.5 billion of investment in the first half of 2026 across 2,746 projects, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). Data centre and cloud computing projects accounted for about RM95.8 billion, close to 44 percent of the total. Johor has become the country&#8217;s main hub thanks to land availability, proximity to Singapore and expanding power infrastructure. Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley remain the second major cluster, and MIDA identifies Penang, Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan and Kedah as emerging locations.<\/p>\n<p>Approved investment is a commitment, not a completed building. Several policy moves show Malaysia shifting its focus from attracting capital to making sure projects are delivered responsibly:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Data Centre Task Force:<\/strong> coordinates approvals and prioritises projects with secured power and water, demonstrable green compliance and local supply-chain participation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>TNB&#8217;s Green Lane Pathway:<\/strong> shortens the electricity connection lead time for eligible data centres from around 36 to 48 months to as little as 12 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sustainable data centre guidelines:<\/strong> MITI and MIDA&#8217;s guideline sets design targets including a PUE of 1.4 or below and a water usage effectiveness (WUE) of 2.2 m\u00b3\/MWh or below for hyperscale facilities above 21.25MW, linked to tax incentive eligibility until the end of 2027.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Johor screening:<\/strong> data centre proposals in Johor now face detailed assessment of water and electricity demand before approval, reflecting local concern over utility capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Thailand: A Strong Pipeline, Paused for New Rules<\/h2>\n<p>Thailand&#8217;s Board of Investment (BOI) received 1,299 investment applications worth THB 1.47 trillion in the first half of 2026, with the digital sector accounting for the largest share. BOI reports that 42 data centre projects promoted between 2024 and 2026 represent about THB 750 billion and 3,400MW of combined IT load. Most are concentrated in Chonburi and Rayong, where the EEC offers industrial estates, subsea cable connectivity and integrated planning for power and water.<\/p>\n<p>Then came a reset. At its first meeting on 4 September 2026, Thailand&#8217;s new national data centre policy board announced a temporary pause covering 166 projects: 49 under construction and 117 awaiting approval. Subcommittees were given a month to draft nationwide criteria on resource use, location, safety, environmental impact and economic benefit. The government has signalled that it still wants data centre investment, but that future projects will be assessed on jobs, technology transfer, clean energy and emissions, not just floor space for servers.<\/p>\n<h2>What the Two Markets Have in Common<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Pressure<\/th>\n<th>Malaysia (Johor)<\/th>\n<th>Thailand (EEC)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Power<\/td>\n<td>Grid connections fast-tracked for eligible projects<\/td>\n<td>Planning demand far exceeds planned supply; private power deals growing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Water<\/td>\n<td>Tighter screening of water-intensive proposals<\/td>\n<td>Integrated water planning in the EEC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sustainability<\/td>\n<td>PUE and WUE targets tied to incentives<\/td>\n<td>Efficiency and clean energy built into new criteria<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Local value<\/td>\n<td>Supply-chain participation favoured<\/td>\n<td>Jobs, training and SME linkages required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The pattern is familiar from Singapore, where capacity is allocated competitively on sustainability merit. Our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/green-data-centres-singapore-fit-out\/\">green data centres in Singapore<\/a> explains that model. The region is converging on the same idea: fewer, better projects.<\/p>\n<h2>What It Means for Fit-Out Teams<\/h2>\n<h3>Expect greener specifications<\/h3>\n<p>Operators that must prove efficiency and sustainability to regulators will ask the same of their fit-out. Expect requests for Environmental Product Declarations, low-VOC certification and recycled content across flooring, wallcoverings and acoustic finishes in offices, control rooms and welfare spaces.<\/p>\n<h3>Specify by zone<\/h3>\n<p>Data hall finishes are driven by static control and cleanliness. Support spaces are driven by comfort and acoustics. Corridors and loading areas are driven by durability. Our guides to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/flooring-for-server-room-data-centre\/\">server room flooring<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/data-centre-control-room-flooring-singapore\/\">control room and support space flooring<\/a> set out the options, from anti-static vinyl tiles to low-static carpet tiles.<\/p>\n<h3>Plan for schedule risk<\/h3>\n<p>When approvals, power connections or policy reviews shift, fit-out dates move with them. Lock in long-lead items early, confirm stock availability and choose modular products that can be installed in phases as halls are energised.<\/p>\n<h3>Watch costs<\/h3>\n<p>Thailand&#8217;s construction materials price index rose about 6 percent year on year by August 2026, with electrical and plumbing equipment up more than 12 percent. Energy and freight disruption has pushed costs up across the region. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/rising-construction-costs-interior-fit-out\/\">rising construction costs in interior fit-out<\/a> covers how to protect budgets.<\/p>\n<h3>Work with regional suppliers<\/h3>\n<p>Cross-border projects benefit from suppliers who can support specification in Singapore and delivery on site. Goodrich Global serves Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and wider Asia, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/goodrich-global-launches-cutting-edge-goodrich-gallery-in-kuala-lumpur\/\">Goodrich Gallery in Kuala Lumpur<\/a> for Malaysian projects. See our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/article\/sea-corridor-economies-interior-procurement\/\">interior procurement across Southeast Asian corridors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>Johor and the EEC will remain central to Southeast Asia&#8217;s digital infrastructure story, but the era of announcing capacity first and solving power and water later is ending. Projects that proceed will be held to higher standards on energy, water, sustainability and local contribution. Fit-out teams that bring certified, durable and well-documented materials, and can deliver across borders, will be well placed as the pipeline turns into buildings.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/contact-us\/request-quotation\/\">Contact Goodrich Global<\/a> to discuss flooring, wallcovering and acoustic solutions for data centre projects in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Why is Johor a data centre hub?<\/h3>\n<p>Johor combines land for large campuses, proximity to Singapore&#8217;s connectivity and business ecosystem, expanding power infrastructure and active investment facilitation. Malaysia&#8217;s Data Centre Task Force and TNB&#8217;s Green Lane Pathway, which can cut grid connection times to about 12 months, have also supported growth.<\/p>\n<h3>Why did Thailand pause data centre projects in 2026?<\/h3>\n<p>On 4 September 2026, Thailand&#8217;s national data centre policy board paused 166 projects, 49 under construction and 117 awaiting approval, while it drafted nationwide criteria on resource use, location, safety, environmental impact and economic benefit. The government said it still wants investment, but with clearer standards.<\/p>\n<h3>What are Malaysia&#8217;s sustainability targets for data centres?<\/h3>\n<p>MITI and MIDA&#8217;s Guideline for Sustainable Development of Data Centre sets design targets for hyperscale facilities above 21.25MW, including a PUE of 1.4 or below and a WUE of 2.2 m\u00b3\/MWh or below. Meeting the guideline is linked to eligibility for tax incentives until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<h3>What interior finishes do data centres need?<\/h3>\n<p>Technical rooms need grounded anti-static or static-dissipative flooring that is clean and load-rated. Control rooms and offices benefit from low-static carpet tiles and acoustic panels. Corridors and loading areas need heavy-duty resilient flooring and wall protection. Low-VOC, certified products support operators&#8217; sustainability commitments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Southeast Asia&#8217;s data centre boom has two clear hotspots outside Singapore: Johor, just across the Causeway, and Thailand&#8217;s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), centred on Chonburi and Rayong. Both have attracted extraordinary investment commitments. Both are now learning that announcing capacity and energising it are different things. For architects, interior designers, contractors and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":100000112817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[486175],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100000112812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-insights"],"meta_box":{"badge_text":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100000112812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100000112812"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100000112812\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100000112817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100000112812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100000112812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goodrichglobal.com\/singapore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100000112812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}