24 Jan 2022

Data centre project expected to create hundreds of jobs

3:22 pm on 24 January 2022

Another large multi-million dollar data centre is being developed in Auckland.

An Network servers in data room .

The need for reliable, local cloud delivery will become increasingly business critical, the chief executive of DCI Data Centres says. (file pic) Photo: 123RF

DCI Data Centres (DCI) will build a data centre on a 5-hectare site in north Auckland, with its first development already under construction in northwest Auckland.

DCI Australia and New Zealand chief executive Malcolm Roe said the two investments were valued at $600 million with an economic value of more than $1.4 billion over the life of the projects.

"Each data centre will create more than 150 jobs during construction and approximately 250 ongoing skilled information technology and telecommunications jobs once the sites are operational," he said.

The data centres called AKL01 and AKL02 would offer high speed internet-based services and cloud-based services.

Roe said DCI designed the centres with New Zealand in mind.

"We have engaged with both government and industry stakeholders to design a data centre ready for an accelerated digital agenda, one that enables the use of cloud technology to drive innovation, improve productivity, and enhance security to better protect data and information for all New Zealand organisations," he said.

"As organisations adopt cloud technologies to automate digital processes and simplify their IT operations, the need for reliable, local cloud delivery will become increasingly business critical."

Construction firm Naylor Love is contracted to build the AKL01 facility, which is expected to be completed next year, while construction of AKL02 is scheduled to begin in mid-2022.

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