TECH GIANT COMMITTED TO TEXAS
Microsoft has plans to continue its data center operations growth in south central Texas. In May, the company will begin construction on two new data centers just west of San Antonio in Medina County. Named “SAT93” and “SAT94,” these facilities will span 245,000 sq. ft. each and result in a combined $700 million investment from Microsoft. The new site is located 10 minutes from the tech giant’s $500 million, 244,675-sq.-ft. data center investment in the town of Castroville, which was announced in July 2024. The Castroville site is already home to two Microsoft data centers which began operations last year, while the new addition is expected to be complete in early 2028. In a Texas data centers report published by Microsoft in April 2024, the company said it anticipates bringing its workforce in the state up to nearly 800 by 2026.
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SINES GAINS 1,800 NEW JOBS
Global China-based battery manufacturer China Aviation Lithium Battery Co. (CALB) has broken ground on a $2.1 billion investment in the southwestern Portugal coastal city of Sines. The new AI gigafactory, first announced in 2022, is set to produce lithium batteries carrying an annual capacity of 15 gigawatt hours, which could power up to 300,000 EVs. CALB’s news marks the company’s first facility investment outside of China, where it currently runs seven locations. Portugal holds the largest lithium reserves in Europe, making the country a key investment destination supported by assets such as port and rail access from Sines. This location will position the company to supply automakers such as Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi in the European market with power and energy storage batteries, in addition to battery cells, modules and battery packs. Operations at the new facility are set to begin in 2028 and will create 1,800 direct jobs.
Photo courtesy of Chery International
CHERY PARKS OPERATIONS IN SELANGOR
Construction has officially begun at the future 200-acre Chery Smart Auto Industrial Park in Selangor, Malaysia. The nearly $500 million site is located in the Hulu Selangor district and will produce versions of the company’s internal combustion engine models in addition to plug-in hybrid, battery electric and energy efficient models. Production capacity will begin with 100,000 vehicles annually, growing to 300,000 later on. At the groundbreaking ceremony Chery International President Zhang Guibing stated that the company is committed to delivering advanced manufacturing facilities and automotive technology to the country, while creating jobs and boosting Malaysia’s domestic automotive supply chain. The project is a milestone toward the future of the planned 800-acre Beringin High-Tech Auto Valley global automotive hub in the region focused on innovation and technology. “This project is more than a land investment,” said Legenda Beringin Chairman Chia Song Kooi at the event. “It supports Malaysia’s aspiration of being a high-tech and sustainable industrial economy by 2030, which is in line with the New Industrial Master Plan.”
Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore
