• Pekat disclosed three Johor Bahru electrical-protection subcontracts worth RM57.18 million for a hyperscale data-centre development and substation
  • The packages include installation, testing and commissioning, with reported completion targets in February and September 2027

The fact

Pekat Group disclosed three subcontracts worth a combined RM57.18 million on 7 September for electrical-protection work at a hyperscale data-centre development and substation in Johor Bahru.

The contracts, awarded to its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Pekat E&LP, are worth RM27.21 million, RM25.33 million and RM4.64 million. The scope covers earthing and lightning protection, including installation, testing, and commissioning. One package also includes design and civil works, while the smallest is for the substation. The customer is an unnamed Malaysian engineering, construction, and investment company.

The largest package, worth RM27.21 million, is scheduled for completion in September 2027. The other two are due in February 2027, although all three schedules remain subject to contract extensions or variations. Pekat disclosed the three awards together on 7 September, but the agreements themselves were signed at different points between July and September. The reports do not name the data-centre operator or give the facility's planned capacity or opening date.

The assessment

Pekat's contracts sit within the sequence required to turn the site into an operating data centre. Earthing and lightning-protection systems must be installed and then tested and commissioned before those packages are complete. Their delivery therefore has to line up with the electrical and construction work around them.

One package also includes design and civil works, giving Pekat more interfaces with the wider build. Changes to the site design or construction sequence could affect that work, although the disclosure does not report a delay. The February and September 2027 dates are therefore useful package milestones rather than opening dates for the entire facility.

For BTW readers, the RM57.18 million contract value matters less operationally than whether Pekat completes and commissions the work when the wider project needs it. Testing, package completion and any later variations will show whether these specialist electrical works remain aligned with the broader construction programme.

What to watch

Watch for Pekat to report completion, testing and commissioning of the three packages against their February and September 2027 targets. Contract variations or revised dates could show where the specialist work has changed. Confirmation of the wider data centre's commissioning or opening would remain a separate milestone for the project owner.