In a strategic move to expand its AI infrastructure footprint, Giga Computing has partnered with Empyrion Digital to develop a state-of-the-art AI data center in Taiwan. This collaboration marks a significant step toward supporting the growing demand for high-performance computing in the region. The data center, named TW1, is expected to commence construction in 2025, with plans to be fully operational by 2027.
What is the TW1 Data Center Project?
The TW1 data center, located in the Neihu Technology Park in Taipei, will offer up to 7 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity. It will focus on powering AI workloads, providing essential infrastructure to support the increasingly complex demands of artificial intelligence applications, including machine learning, deep learning, and large-scale data processing.
When Will Construction Begin and What Are the Key Milestones?
Construction for TW1 is slated to begin in 2025, with the goal of completing the facility by 2027. Empyrion Digital, which first announced the plans for the project in November 2024, has set ambitious targets for the facility’s performance. Among these, the company aims to achieve a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.33 or lower, which is an industry benchmark for energy efficiency in data centers.
The completion of TW1 will bring substantial benefits to the region’s AI ecosystem, further solidifying Taiwan’s position as a key player in global AI infrastructure.
Giga Computing’s Role in the Project
Giga Computing, a subsidiary of technology giant Gigabyte, will play a pivotal role in the deployment of TW1. Giga Computing, which was spun off from Gigabyte in January 2023, focuses on the development of server solutions, particularly in the data center sector. The company will oversee the planning, deployment, and commissioning of the modular compute cluster, which will be based on Gigabyte’s GigaPod. GigaPod is designed specifically to handle demanding AI workloads, providing the necessary scalability and performance for such applications.
By leveraging Gigabyte’s established hardware expertise, Giga Computing aims to ensure that TW1 can support cutting-edge AI operations while maintaining energy efficiency and reliability.
Innovative Cooling Solutions and Energy Efficiency
One of the standout features of the TW1 data center will be its focus on advanced cooling technologies. These systems are critical for maintaining optimal operating conditions for the high-density computing environments needed to process AI workloads. In addition, the facility will incorporate building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) to enhance its energy sustainability. This approach allows the building itself to contribute to its energy needs by utilizing solar power, further reducing its environmental impact.
The integration of these technologies highlights Empyrion Digital’s commitment to building energy-efficient, sustainable data centers that meet the evolving needs of AI and other high-demand computing applications.
Empyrion Digital’s Expansion and Strategy
Empyrion Digital, established by Asian infrastructure investment fund Seraya Partners in 2021, is on a rapid expansion trajectory. The company currently operates a 7.7MW data center in Singapore and is constructing a 29.4MW facility in Seoul, South Korea. The move into Taiwan with TW1 will further strengthen its presence in Asia, providing critical infrastructure for AI applications and enhancing its portfolio of next-generation data centers.
In addition to the Taiwan project, Empyrion Digital is also planning a significant expansion into Japan, where the company is set to build a five-story, 25MW data center facility. These developments are part of Empyrion’s larger strategy to capture the growing demand for data center services in Asia, particularly in markets with strong demand for AI and cloud computing infrastructure.
Taiwan as a Hub for Data Center Expansion
Taiwan is emerging as a key hub for data center development in Asia. Major international players, including Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft, are actively expanding their presence in the region. AWS, for example, announced plans to establish a Taipei cloud region in June 2024, while Apple is reportedly considering developing its own data center in Taiwan. The growth of AI and cloud computing technologies is driving significant investments in the region’s data center infrastructure.
The development of TW1 adds to this trend, positioning Taiwan as a key location for cutting-edge technology and data center facilities in the Asia-Pacific region. By supporting high-demand workloads such as AI, Taiwan is well on its way to becoming a focal point for the future of computing.
FAQ
1. What is the capacity of the TW1 data center?
The TW1 data center will have up to 7MW of IT capacity, making it well-equipped to support the high performance requirements of AI workloads.
2. What is the planned operational date for TW1?
The facility is expected to be operational by 2027, with construction scheduled to start in 2025.
3. Who is responsible for the GigaPod deployment at TW1?
Giga Computing, a subsidiary of Gigabyte, will manage the planning, deployment, and commissioning of the GigaPod compute cluster, which is designed for AI applications.
4. What are the energy efficiency targets for TW1?
Empyrion Digital aims to achieve a PUE of 1.33 or lower for TW1, ensuring the facility operates with high energy efficiency.
5. Where is the TW1 data center located?
The TW1 data center will be situated in the Neihu Technology Park in Taipei, Taiwan.
