Provider of data centres and Internet exchange services, Equinix plans to open a second exchange in Sydney increasing capacity with the addition of 2,900 square metres of floor space and 650 cabinets.

It will be located on the same campus as the company's first Internet Business Exchange (IBX) at a cost of AUD$32 million with the bulk of the capital expenditure incurred in 2008.

The new Sydney2 centre will offer direct access to the more than 35 networks and 180 enterprises and content companies already operating within the Sydney1 IBX.

It will cater to customers with high power density requirements with the ability to support 4 kW per cabinet, which is double the average power per cabinet for most data centres in Sydney. Equinix plans to begin placing customers in the new centre by the beginning of fourth quarter of 2008.

As part of Equinix's efforts at environmental conservation, the new Sydney2 center will be designed with the ability to switch from chilled water cooling to natural air cooling, under specific temperature and humidity conditions.

Cool air, drawn from outside the building, is cleaned and conditioned to cool the centre, resulting in reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption.

Equinix managing director, Doug Oates, said as global demand continues to outpace supply, the company continues to expand locally to meet market demands for both space and power.

"The acquisition of a second IBX in Sydney enables us to continue supporting our customers with robust infrastructure, network access and various managed services so that they can focus on growing their core business."

Equinix IBX centres serve as critical, core hubs for IP networks and Internet operations worldwide. There is 36 IBX centres located in 17 strategic markets across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.