AirTrunk MEL1 Melbourne West Data Center Campus: 185MW+ Hyperscale Hub
Status: Fully Operational / Active Phased Expansion | Location: 176 Swann Drive, Derrimut, VIC 3030, Australia
Project Overview
AirTrunk’s MEL1 facility in Derrimut is a flagship hyperscale digital infrastructure campus strategically located in Melbourne’s western growth corridor, serving as one of Australia’s largest and most advanced data center developments. Spanning approximately 8.8 hectares, the campus provides more than 32,000 square metres of dedicated white space distributed across 34 purpose-built data halls and is designed to deliver over 185 MW of scalable IT power capacity. Engineered to meet the requirements of hyperscale cloud providers, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), high-performance computing (HPC), content platforms, and enterprise customers, MEL1 supports high-density computing environments with resilient, future-ready infrastructure. The campus is powered by dual independent 66 kV high-voltage utility feeds, providing exceptional power reliability and operational resilience for mission-critical workloads. To maximize sustainability and energy efficiency, the facility incorporates AirTrunk’s ultra-efficient indirect evaporative cooling technology, targeting an industry-leading annualized Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15 while minimizing energy consumption and supporting high-density AI deployments. As a carrier-neutral campus, MEL1 offers extensive fiber connectivity to major telecommunications providers, cloud platforms, internet exchanges, and enterprise networks, creating low-latency connections across Melbourne and linking customers to national Australian backbone networks as well as key Asia-Pacific (APAC) fiber corridors. Combining hyperscale scalability, resilient power infrastructure, advanced energy-efficient cooling, and exceptional regional connectivity, AirTrunk’s MEL1 campus provides a future-ready digital infrastructure platform supporting Australia’s growing cloud ecosystem, AI innovation, enterprise digital transformation, and next-generation digital services throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | AirTrunk MEL1 Melbourne West Data Center Campus: 185MW+ Hyperscale Hub |
| Location | 176 Swann Drive, Derrimut, VIC 3030, Australia |
| Status | Fully Operational / Active Phased Expansion |
| Commissioning | Initial Phase Go-Live: 2018 / Ongoing Multi-Building Campus Expansion |
| Total IT Load | 185+ MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation |
| Total Capacity | 185+ MW Total IT Capacity across an 8.8-hectare plot with 32,000 m² of technical data hall area and 34 data halls |
| Tier Level | Tier III Equivalent Architecture / Australian Government Certified Strategic / SCEC Zone 3+ / ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, SOC 2 Type II |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Greenfield Hyperscale, High-Density AI-Ready Colocation & Cloud Interconnect Campus |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
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| City Name | melbourne |
| Population | City Proper (Estimated 2026): ~5.2–5.3 million |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~5.3+ million (Greater Melbourne region) |
| City GDP | ~USD 320–380 billion |
| Per Capita Income | Approx.: USD 65,000–75,000 |
| City Tier | Global Alpha City (Beta+ to Alpha tier depending on index) |
| Key Strengths | Strong finance, banking, and professional services sector |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
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| Developer / Operator | AirTrunk |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Powercor Australia / EnergyAustralia (High-Voltage Power Utility) |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized Australian Mission-Critical EPC Partners (Hansen Yuncken / Built Consortiums) |
| MEP Engineering | AirTrunk In-House Global Technical Infrastructure & Critical Facilities Engineering Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Carrier-neutral host featuring dual subterranean path-diverse fiber entrance vaults; redundant Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs); direct wholesale dark fiber links connecting to major Melbourne carrier hotels, cloud exchanges, and cross-transpacific subsea gateways. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dedicated 66kV high-voltage utility grid feeds, static distributed 2N / N+1 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) modules, automated switchgear, and backup diesel generator plants with multi-day on-site fuel autonomy. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
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| Power Capacity | 185+ MW Secured Utility Power Capacity Allocation |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / N+1 Distributed Redundant Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | High-efficiency indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) technology operating with zero water waste design, hot/cold aisle containment, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC) readiness for ultra-high-density racks, and automated BMS environmental controls. |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral access with direct low-latency cloud express on-ramps and cross-connect options across Australian and international fiber networks. |
| PUE Target | < 1.15 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | 100% Carbon-Neutral Energy matching options via renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Australia. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | 2017 |
| Construction Start | 2017 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational (2018) |
| Full Buildout | Operational Active Campus Expansion |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | Part of AirTrunk's multi-billion AUD capital commitment in Victoria |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure & Infrastructure Equity Financing by AirTrunk / Blackstone / CPPIB |