Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, has entered into a partnership with EdgeConneX, the pioneer in global hyperlocal to hyperscale data center solutions based in the United States. The joint venture aims to address the rising data usage in the Philippines by developing a data center platform that will house cloud service providers' information technology equipment, enabling them to better support the Philippine market.

The initial data center will be located in proximity to the National Capital Region and a secondary hyperscale campus is planned to be located in the Greater Manila Area.

The partnership — which will pave the way for the development of hyperscale data centers across the Philippines — will leverage on ECX' global data center platform, build and operational capabilities, and superior "hyperscale" customer relationships. This is complemented by AIC's local expertise, assets, and infrastructure portfolio, including its 1,400 hectares of prime industrial real estate and its affiliate AboitizPower's diversified renewable energy capacity, which the company aims to triple by 2030.

Hyperscale data centers are massive business-critical facilities designed to efficiently support robust, scalable applications of cloud service providers. AIC and ECX aim to provide world-class cooling and power infrastructure solutions to "hyperscalers" and other key customers.

"Businesses are increasingly turning to cloud service providers — or "hyperscalers" — for cost efficiency, flexibility, and scalability; and thus the need for data centers has never been more demanding. This trend will continue with certainty and speed, and our efforts to seize the opportunities it offers have been proven successful with this latest landmark infrastructure deal for the Aboitiz Group," said Sabin Aboitiz, President and CEO of the Aboitiz Group.

AIC President and CEO Cosette Canilao explained that the partnership aims to help boost the country's digital infrastructure ecosystem and serve the local market demand, highlighting the Philippines' attractiveness for data centers. This focus on enabling digital capabilities also aligns well with the Aboitiz Group's thrust to move forward through a "Great Transformation" to become the Philippines' first "techglomerate" that provides life-essential services of the future.

"There is great excitement about the partnership and the incredible market opportunity the partnership enables," said Canilao.