Next stop RM1-00.

Malakoff- The largest IPP in Malaysia

Power

Malakoff is the largest Independent Power Producer (“IPP”) with an effective generating capacity of 5,342 MW. Through Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd., Malakoff is also the country’s biggest environmental services company, managing solid waste volume of 5,548 tonnes per day.

Water

Malakoff’s international assets include power and water ventures in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, with an effective power generation capacity of 588 MW and water desalination capacity of 472,975 m³/day.

Independent power producer (IPP) Malakoff Corp Bhd is exploring combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) and solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in its Tanjung Bin site in Johor, to cater for electricity exports.

The group, which has 21% of generation capacity in Peninsular Malaysia, is “actively pursuing” a new CCGT project, it said in its 2023 annual report.

Malakoff has seen generation capacity declining in recent years following the expiry of power purchase agreements (PPAs), the latest being a 21-year PPA for the 640-megawatt (MW) GB3 gas-fired plant in Lumut, Perak in 2022.

Export opportunities abound led by Singapore, which is seeking to import up to 1,200MW of electricity by end-2027. Malaysia has expressed intention to participate, and lifted its renewable energy (RE) export ban to Singapore last year, although details of the mechanism have yet to be ironed out.

Malakoff’s effective thermal power generation capacity stood at 5,342MW, with RE capacity of 153MW, its annual report showed.

In Kukup, Johor, where Jalan Tanjung Bin is located, Malakoff owns 90% in the 2,100MW coal-fired Tanjung Bin power plant in Johor, the PPA of which expires in 2031. It also wholly owns the 1,000MW coal-fired Tanjung Bin Energy power plant that is contracted to operate until 2041.

Aside from looking for new CCGT capacity, Malakoff said it will continue to invest in expanding the proportion of its biomass co-fired project with coal.

FYI Their IPO was RM1.80 in 2015.

Johore Investment Trade & Consumer Affairs- seen Promoting Green Data Centres in Johore.- YTLP to be the main beneficiary.

Johor Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han told ST that starting in June, the state government will implement guidelines requiring new data centre operators to demonstrate efforts to use green energy hardware and software.

New data centre developments in Johor will be assessed on their sustainability efforts, including power and water efficiency, he said.

“If data centre operators do not show efforts to use green energy, the committee can recommend to reject the building permission application of their data centre,” said Mr Lee.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-s-push-for-data-centres-could-strain-power-and-water-supplies-warn-experts

An extract from KGB’s announcement:-

“Kelington is pleased to announce that its 90.71% owned subsidiary, Ace Gases Sdn Bhd has on 25 March 2024 commenced the liquid carbon dioxide production with an annual production capacity of up to 70,000 metric tons at the second LCO2 Plant located at Kertih, Terengganu.” The quarter April to June 24 results are going to have this LCO2 plant contribution.

KGB is heading towards new highs.

With its expansion plans and entry into new markets, KGB is on a steady growth path which augurs well for its future profitability.

@ SS13 - Good information. TQ

KGB's quarter April to June 24 results are going to be impressive from this LCO2 plant contribution.


An extract from KGB’s announcement:-

“Kelington is pleased to announce that its 90.71% owned subsidiary, Ace Gases Sdn Bhd has on 25 March 2024 commenced the liquid carbon dioxide production with an annual production capacity of up to 70,000 metric tons at the second LCO2 Plant located at Kertih, Terengganu.” The quarter April to June 24 results are going to have this LCO2 plant contribution. KGB is heading towards new highs. A gem of a counter.

With its expansion plans and entry into new markets, KGB is on a steady growth path which augurs well for its future profitability.

Based on profits from 3 land sales , Crescendo's Q1 FY25 will make at least rm 335 million PAT or rm 1.15 per share - for the First Quarter FY25. ( announcement due in late June)

I feel the above developments will be a powerful catalyst for Crescendo to surge past RM4.50

Just 2 weeks to go before the Q1 FY25 announcement.

Hi Steven - Hope this answers your question. cheers.

Kelington to reap the benefits of a diversified business strategy

Kelington Group Bhd is poised to ride the tailwinds of an anticipated semiconductor recovery in 2024 and it is also positioned to continue reaping the benefits of its well-diversified business strategy.

A one-stop facility solution provider of turnkey engineering services from the initial design phase to fabrication and maintenance services, it operates under four core business divisions, namely ultra-high purity (UHP), process engineering, general contracting, and industrial gases.

The group has a strong foothold in Malaysia, China and also Singapore. However, its geographical footprint stretches further to include Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Yet, its expansion ambitions do not end there, with plans underway to include Hong Kong and Germany in its portfolio.


KGB is active in Singapore in the semi con /foundry business.


https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2024/04/27/kelington...

Good volume and support - insiders accumulating pending the announcement of RM 1 billion NIIse contract winner.

Goldberg KGB to benefit from this massive foundry plant - costing USD 7.8 billion.

NXP, Vanguard to Build $7.8 Billion Singapore Chip Wafer Plant as Tech Firms Hedge Against China

New facility begins construction in second half of 2024

Region poised to benefit from drive to diversify from China

Source: Bloomberg

5 June 2024

NXP Semiconductors NV is teaming up with a company partly owned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to build a $7.8 billion chip wafer plant in Singapore, marking a boost for the island nation’s tech ambitions.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-05/nxp-vanguard-to-bui...
06/06/2024 12:53 PM

Power & Utilities Sector - 1Q24 Within Expectations

Author: sectoranalyst | Publish date: Wed, 5 Jun 2024,

Review
The Power and Utilities (P&U) sector reported results that were largely in line with expectations in 1QCY24 (Figure 2).

Only MALAKOF disappointed out of 6 P&U stocks under our coverage. MALAKOF missed expectations due to lower-than-expected share of profit from its associates.

Compared with the preceding quarter, core profit for the sector soared 24.3% QoQ mainly driven by lower non-fuel operating expenses for TENAGA (Figure 3). Compared with 1QCY23, core profit jumped 16.2% YoY supported by stellar performance at Power Seraya of YTLPOWR and turnaround at MALAKOF following the easing of negative fuel margins.

Outlook
With the launch of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), a roadmap meant to shift Malaysia from traditional fossil fuel economy into a high-value green economy, we expect P&U sector to be the major beneficiary due to the exciting earnings possibility that the roadmap presents.

In line with the NETR, Malaysia recently set up the Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM) for trading in green electricity supply to Singapore. This is a small but important step forward before the nation scales up the cross-border sale of renewable energy to Singapore where the electricity price is much higher. TENAGA should be the main beneficiary as the group can increase its interconnection grid with Singapore in the future and hence collect returns from utilisation of the grid.

Meanwhile, the government also targets to implement third party access (TPA) by allowing independent power producers (IPPs) to sell directly to consumers, bypassing their need to purchase from TENAGA. This is a positive news for IPPs and the power generation business of TENAGA, providing them with possibility of higher returns compared with competitive bidding under the large-scale solar tenders.

Power & Utilities Sector - 1Q24 Within Expectations

Author: sectoranalyst | Publish date: Wed, 5 Jun 2024

Review

The Power and Utilities (P&U) sector reported results that were largely in line with expectations in 1QCY24 (Figure 2).

Compared with the preceding quarter, core profit for the sector soared 24.3% QoQ mainly driven by lower non-fuel operating expenses for TENAGA (Figure 3). Compared with 1QCY23, core profit jumped 16.2% YoY supported by stellar performance at Power Seraya of YTLPOWR and turnaround at MALAKOF following the easing of negative fuel margins.

Outlook

With the launch of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), a roadmap meant to shift Malaysia from traditional fossil fuel economy into a high-value green economy, we expect P&U sector to be the major beneficiary due to the exciting earnings possibility that the roadmap presents.

In line with the NETR, Malaysia recently set up the Energy Exchange Malaysia (ENEGEM) for trading in green electricity supply to Singapore. This is a small but important step forward before the nation scales up the cross-border sale of renewable energy to Singapore where the electricity price is much higher. TENAGA should be the main beneficiary as the group can increase its interconnection grid with Singapore in the future and hence collect returns from utilisation of the grid.

Meanwhile, the government also targets to implement third party access (TPA) by allowing independent power producers (IPPs) to sell directly to consumers, bypassing their need to purchase from TENAGA. This is a positive news for IPPs and the power generation business of TENAGA, providing them with possibility of higher returns compared with competitive bidding under the large-scale solar tenders.

Singapore seeks bids for more gas power plants to meet demand

Author: Tan KW | Publish date: Tue, 4 Jun 2024, 7:32 PM

Singapore is looking for companies to build two new power plants by 2030 to meet its growing energy needs.

The Energy Market Authority launched a request for proposals to build, own and operate two hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants, with capacity of at least 600 megawatts each, that will be ready for operations in 2029 and 2030, it said in a statement. Separately, Singapore requested bids last year to build a power plant by 2028.

Demand for electricity in Singapore has been steadily increasing, driven by electricity-intensive sectors including advanced manufacturing and transport sectors, EMA said. Peak power demand is expected to grow by at least 3.7% over the next six years, and reach as much as 11.8 gigawatts by 2030.

“It is crucial that we ensure sufficient generation capacity to power our homes, workplaces and communities,” said Ngiam Shih Chun, chief executive of EMA.




- Bloomberg

DNeX and Theta Edge in two-horse race for NIISe project


By Jose Barrock / The Edge Malaysia

03 Jun 2024, 03:00 pm


This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 27, 2024 - June 2, 2024
THE government is understood to have narrowed the field down to two companies — Dagang NeXchange Bhd or DNeX (KL:DNEX) and Theta Edge Bhd (KL:THETA) — for the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project aimed at integrating the border control system under various agencies of the Ministry of Home Affairs, say sources

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/713107

“Yes, HeiTech Padu is out of the running, but I am not sure why … What we do know is that there is a disparity between the two remaining bids, quite a substantial disparity, and there are some issues surrounding compliance with the terms of the contract, which is why there is such a huge difference in the bids … a few hundred million ringgit,” says one of the sources.

Water, Power Remain Major Issues for Johor’s Data Centres, Says JB Mayor

Author: edgeinvest | Publish date: Fri, 31 May 2024,

"People are too hyped about data centres nowadays, but the issue in Johor is water and power. Areas with potential for power supply are Pasir Gudang and Kulai," he said during a panel discussion at The Johor Conversations 2024.

Major data centre players such as Nvidia, AirTrunk, GDS International, YTL Power International Bhd (KL:YTLPOWR), and Princeton Digital Group have established their operations in Johor. Additionally, tech giant Microsoft has also purchased land in Kulai from property developer Crescendo Corp Bhd (KL:CRESNDO) to open a data centre.

Malaysia’s data center market: Growth and challenges

May 30, 2024

The Malaysia data center market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.92 percent from 2023 to 2029. This growth trajectory suggests that the market will expand from US$1.81 billion in 2023 to an estimated US$3.97 billion by 2029, according to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.

Currently, Malaysia hosts around 34 operational colocation data centers, with most being developed to Tier III standards. Notable examples include NTT DATA’s Cyberjaya, which is designed and certified according to these standards by the Uptime Institute. However, Malaysia is also one of the most expensive markets globally for developing data centers, with construction costs ranging between US$8.5 million to US$10 million per megawatt, making it the costliest market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region after Singapore and Indonesia (Jakarta).

Characteristics of Malaysia’s data center market

Per data from Mordor Intelligence, in 2023, Tier 3 data centers held the majority market share in Malaysia and were projected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period 2017 to 2029.

The Tier 1 and 2 data center segment in Malaysia increased its IT load capacity from 0.59 MW in 2021 to 2.39 MW in 2022 and is expected to reach 3.59 MW by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.99 percent. In contrast, the Tier 3 segment had an IT load capacity of 257.85 MW in 2021 and is forecasted to grow from 457.66 MW in 2022 to 1,379.11 MW by 2029, with a higher CAGR of 17.07 percent. Tier 3 data centers are preferred for their concurrent maintainability, allowing for maintenance without disrupting operations, which is why many telecom operators are focusing on establishing such facilities to prevent operational disturbances.

The development of digital infrastructure, such as data centers, is crucial for enabling 5G applications. Various investors are entering agreements to launch 5G services in Malaysia. For instance, in November 2022, Malaysian telcos Celcom and DiGi merged, forming one of the largest carriers in the country with over 20 million subscribers.

The Tier 4 data center segment is currently stagnant but is expected to see increased opportunities in the future. At present, TelcoHubeXchange and Regal Orion Sdn Bhd are the only companies in Malaysia with Tier 4 certified facilities.

Key players and new entrants

The Malaysian data center industry features several leading colocation operators, such as Bridge Data Centres, NTT DATA, Keppel Data Centres, Vantage Data Centers, VADS, and GDS Services. The market is also seeing the entry of new players, including AirTrunk, Equinix, EdgeConneX, Princeton Digital Group, NEXTDC, and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, indicating a dynamic and competitive landscape.

Strategic developments and outlook

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is witnessing substantial industrial development driven by initiatives like the Kuala Lumpur Smart City Master Plan 2020-2025. This plan aims to foster innovations and sustainable development in the city’s industrial infrastructure, focusing on smart digital infrastructure and a smart economy.

Moreover, a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Malaysia and Singapore aims to jointly develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Johor. This collaboration is expected to enhance cross-border movement of people and goods, increase renewable energy adoption, and streamline business regulations.

The forthcoming Sedenak Tech Park in Johor, known for its use of renewable energy, low disaster risk, ample land availability, and skilled talent pool, further bolsters the region’s attractiveness for data center developments.

Conclusion

Google’s US$2 billion investment in Malaysia’s data center and cloud market signifies a broader trend of tech giants recognizing Southeast Asia’s potential as a hub for technological innovation and growth.

With strategic initiatives and substantial investments from leading companies, Malaysia is well-positioned to become a key player in the global digital economy, driving technological advancements and economic development in the region

.https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/google-to-invest-us2-billion-in-malaysia-data-center-and-cloud-market/

Singapore to free up more power for data centre expansions- Good news for S'pore IPPs ?

By Sing Yee Ong / Bloomberg
30 May 2024

(May 30): Singapore aims to increase the amount of power it allocates for data centres by as much as 35%, according to Janil Puthucheary, senior minister of state at the Ministry of Communications and Information.

The city-state will free up about 300 megawatts of capacity in the short term via resource allocation and efficiency enhancements, with possibly another 200 megawatts to come through partnerships with clean energy providers, Puthucheary said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. Data centres currently require about 1,400 megawatts of power capacity, according to government data.

Singapore has emerged as a hot destination for data centre developers in Asia due to its location and favourable business environment. However, imported natural gas currently accounts for more than 90% of its power generation, meaning an increase in data centres will create more pollution.

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/713635

Keyfield International - Smooth Sailing to Rm3.00

Stronger quarters in 2QFY24 and 3QFY24 for KEYFIELD as vessel activity normalises post the monsoon season, with all vessels expected to operate near full capacity. The majority of its accommodation work boats (AWB) are currently engaged in medium- term charters of six to nine months. Should demand for AWBs remain robust, we project that the group could secure higher DCR for FY25 by the end of FY24. Given the tight supply of offshore support vessels (OSV) in Malaysia and increasing operational activities, we expect DCRs to continue rising in the coming months.

Investment case. We like KEYFIELD due to:
(i) its presence in the booming AWB subsector on tight supply,
(ii) its relatively young fleet age of eight years and DP2-rated vessels which are preferred by clients, and
(iii) a strong war chest by virtue of a debt-free balance sheet.

AI buzz drives biggest flows into Malaysian stocks in two years

Bloomberg

The country also offers a wider choice of AI-related stocks than some other neighbours. Utility firm YTL Power International Bhd (KL:YTLPOWR) and power producer Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) are among the key beneficiaries of the growth in Asean data centres. Malaysia is projected to capture about US$115 billion of the US$1 trillion potential add to Southeast Asia’s economy by 2030 from AI adoption, according to a report by consulting firm Kearney.

Alphabet Inc-owned Google on Thursday joined Microsoft Corp and Nvidia Corp in pledging billions of dollars into helping Malaysia’s growing AI ambitions. Google committed to making US$2 billion in investments in the country, including its first data centre and Google Cloud effort in the region.

“Malaysia is starting to carve out a niche for itself in the AI ecosystem,” said Alan Richardson, a fund manager at Samsung Asset Management. “The country’s competitive advantage is lower cost and geopolitical stability to set up infrastructure to support AI power.”

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/713612

Yes- a JV is on the cards between Theta & Dnex for the RM1 billion NIIse project.

You are always welcome @Dragon328.

AI Frenzy Draws Stock Traders to Southeast Asia’s Likely Winners, Including TNB and YTL Power


Author: edgeinvest | Publish date: Wed, 29 May 2024, 10:44 AM

YTL Power

Shares in Malaysian utility firm YTL Power International Bhd (KL:YTLPOWR) have doubled since it signed an agreement with Nvidia Corp to build a US$4.3 billion (RM20 billion) AI data centre in Johor.

As the only new data centre operator in the Southeast Asian country with a captive 500MW solar power supply, the firm “should stand out to customers who want clean energy, and capacity fast”, Macquarie Group Ltd analysts including Charles Yonts wrote in a note last month.


https://klse1.i3investor.com/blogs/ceomorningbrief/2024-05-29-story-h-160682669-AI_Frenzy_Draws_Stock_Traders_to_Southeast_Asia_8217_s_Likely_Winners_I.jsp

Absolutely ! This acquisition gives - YTLP a clear competitive advantage. - A strategic masterstroke - adequate water supply is a necessity for data centres- more so hyper scale. data centres. YTL Power can now prioritize its own projects over competitors in a highly competitive market.

This development is a massive re rating for YTL.

Analysts see Ranhill as a 'strategic fit' for YTL Power

theedgemalaysia.com

28 May 2024, 07:19 pm


Ranhill seen as a 'strategic fit' for YTL Power

KUALA LUMPUR (May 28): The proposed acquisition of a 31.4% stake in Ranhill Utilities Bhd (KL:RANHILL) appeared to be a positive move for YTL Power International Bhd’s (KL:YTLPOWR), according to analysts.

Ranhill, which operates in water and power businesses, is seen to be strategically aligned with YTL Power considering the latter shares similar business operations, albeit at a much larger scale, according to MIDF Research. The research house considered the acquisition "a reasonably good deal for YTL Power". “We believe the entry of a strong shareholder will pave the way for improved efficiency for Johor water,” said MIDF Research. YTL Power can capitalise on prospects from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and potential demand from data centre hubs in the state, it noted.

MIDF maintained a “Buy” call on YTL Power with an unchanged target price of RM6.35.


Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) sees the acquisition as a strategic move, allowing YTL Power to expand into Johor’s water utility business by strategically consolidating Ranhill’s operations, which complement its existing business portfolio and derive potential synergies.
"We expect potential synergistic benefits to integrate Ranhill into YTL Power's diversified portfolio of businesses while also leveraging YTL Power's UK Wessex Water expertise," HLIB said.

HLIB maintained a “Buy” rating and target price of RM7.45 for YTL Power.

NutSoKoko- Don't worry Ranhill will soar to greater heights under YTL - will take time though. In the mean time its going to be a watering session for Ranhill

Looks like Tan Sri Hamdan is cashing out and laughing all the way to the bank with a whopping RM405 million at RM0.95 per share for his 31.42% stake.

Good news for YTL Power as this deal will effectively take control of Ranhill at a reasonable price and control the water supply in Johore. All data centres need to approach YTLP for their water supply.

Latest Report HL investment Bank

Maintain BUY, TP: RM7.45.


We reiterate our BUY recommendation, with a higher TP: RM7.45 (from RM5.55), based on 10% discount to FD SOP: RM8.28, as we believe the current PE valuation remains undemanding (vs Tenaga and PGas) with potential dividend upside. Upcoming earnings will be further boosted by Wessex’s turnaround and maiden DC/AI-DC contributions.

Newly-listed Keyfield quadruples net profit in 1Q on higher vessel use, charter rates

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/713186

YTL POWER INTERNATIONAL BHD

Kindly be advised that in conjunction with Ranhill Utilities Berhad’s request for suspension, trading in the securities relating to YTLPOWR will be suspended with effect from 9.00 a.m., Tuesday, 28 May 2024.


Announcement Info
Company Name YTL POWER INTERNATIONAL BHD
Stock Name YTLPOWR
Date Announced 27 May 2024
Category Listing Circular
Reference Number ILC-27052024-00030

https://www.bursamalaysia.com/market_information/announcements/company_announcement/announcement_details?ann_id=3450513

Keyfield’s net profit for the first quarter of 2024 (1Q24) ended March 31, 2024 soared to RM30.3mil

Offshore support and accommodation vessels firm, Keyfield International Bhd, is well-placed to ride on the upcycle of the market, especially with the current shortage of suitable vessels to support offshore activities, said group chief executive officer and executive director Datuk Darren Kee Chit Kuei.

“We look forward to executing our remaining order book which stands at RM675mil, of which RM370.9mil is for the page two of three remaining nine months of 2024, and this figure is before additional charter projects which we are still bidding for,” he said in a statement.

Keyfield’s net profit for the first quarter of 2024 (1Q24) ended March 31, 2024 soared to RM30.3mil versus RM7.41mil in the previous year, reflecting an earnings per share of 6.05 sen for the quarter.

Its revenue also hiked by 92.03% to RM106.39mil, due to higher number of chartered days and increase in average daily charter rate for its own vessels by 25.2% as compared to 1Q23.

Keyfield declared a first interim dividend of 1.0 sen per share on May 27, 2024, in respect of financial year 2024 amounting to a total of RM8mil.


https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2024/05/27/keyfield-net-profit-up-in-1q24

Looks like THETA has got D EDGE over D NEXT.

Keyfield declared a Dividend of 1 sen per share.

Very good Quarterly Results ending March 31. Net profit RM30.3 million. Their best quarterly earnings. Annualised EPS of 15 sen .

Good info Paul - 55% of paid up held by top 4 shareholders.
Paid up only 118 million shares.

Company is well managed, has good potential and fundamentals - near term 60-70 sen no problem.

Something is brewing at Theta Edge.
Theta Managed to bag a lucrative project?
Rm1 billion NIIse Project ?

Bro, Notion produces HDD components and other precision components. Pls check ya .
By the way Notion is much better that JCY.

Thanks.

Shalom.

Bro, Notion produces HDD components and other precision components. Pls check ya .
By the way Notion is much better that JCY.

Thanks.

Shalom.

Solid State Driv SSD e Market Analysis

The Solid State Drive Market size is estimated at USD 65.47 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 147.01 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.56% during the forecast period (2024-2029). The data storage demand has been on a massive rise over the past few years, and it is expected to witness an increasing trend over the forecast period. Increasing demand for data storage options is expected to drive the demand for SSD demand over the forecast period.
The demand for SSD has been rapidly increasing, along with the growing number of cloud platforms, from the traditional corporate private and new public clouds to personal cloud usage. The commonly used SSD interfaces include Serial ATA (SATA), PCI Express (PCIe), and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS). Enhanced features, such as high speed and quick data access, boost the adoption of PCIe SSDs for cloud computing.

Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/solid-state-drive-market

Solid State Drive SSD Market Analysis

The Solid State Drive Market size is estimated at USD 65.47 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 147.01 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.56% during the forecast period (2024-2029). The data storage demand has been on a massive rise over the past few years, and it is expected to witness an increasing trend over the forecast period. Increasing demand for data storage options is expected to drive the demand for SSD demand over the forecast period.

The demand for SSD has been rapidly increasing, along with the growing number of cloud platforms, from the traditional corporate private and new public clouds to personal cloud usage. The commonly used SSD interfaces include Serial ATA (SATA), PCI Express (PCIe), and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS). Enhanced features, such as high speed and quick data access, boost the adoption of PCIe SSDs for cloud computing.

Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/solid-state-drive-market

Solid State Drive -SSD Market Analysis

The Solid State Drive Market size is estimated at USD 65.47 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 147.01 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.56% during the forecast period (2024-2029). The data storage demand has been on a massive rise over the past few years, and it is expected to witness an increasing trend over the forecast period. Increasing demand for data storage options is expected to drive the demand for SSD demand over the forecast period.

The demand for SSD has been rapidly increasing, along with the growing number of cloud platforms, from the traditional corporate private and new public clouds to personal cloud usage. The commonly used SSD interfaces include Serial ATA (SATA), PCI Express (PCIe), and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS). Enhanced features, such as high speed and quick data access, boost the adoption of PCIe SSDs for cloud computing.

Source:
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/solid-state-drive-market

Hard drive storage will soon become part of computing history, says expert

Data storage on hard drives will soon become a thing of the past, according to an expert Shawn Rosemarin, Vice President, R&D and Customer Engineering – Pure Storage. According to Rosemarin, we could see the last hard drive being sold in just about five years from now, PC Gamer reported.

Most computer users have long migrated to cloud storage solutions when it comes to safely storing their data. With content being streamed on smartphones and tablets practically everywhere, there is little reason to own a hard drive these days.

Most laptops and computers too are equipped with solid-state drives, so the question is, where are hard drives even used?

The Last of the Hard Drives

Back in 1956, IBM unveiled the 305 RAMDAC, which was likely the first computer to run a hard drive with a magnetic disk. The entire assembly took up a sizeable portion of the room but offered nothing over 5 MB of conventional storage capacity.

Fast forward 50 years, storage capacities had zoomed to one terabyte, and the size of the drive itself had reduced to the palm. When writing this, one can buy 22 TB storage for regular use and even 26 TB models for use in data centers.

The problem, however, according to Rosemarin, is that the world spends three percent of its energy on data centers, most of which is to spin the hard drive’s disk. Shifting to flash storage could reduce power consumption by as much as 90 percent. This is why the shift away from magnetic storage is inevitable.


Hard disk drives will soon become part of computer junk that nobody looks at
Adam Smigielski/iStock
The major hurdle, according to Rosemarin, is the cost of flash storage. A 100TB flash storage costs $40,000, which is exorbitant when hard drive storage for similar capacity costs about $2,000. But as with computing hardware, prices tumble very quickly, and the SSD will also meet the same fate, sooner or later.

Whether the last hard drive is sold in 2028 or not could be the topic of a moot discussion, but its place in computing is almost cemented. The timeline could be pushed up even further if newer storage solutions are discovered during this time.

If you’d like to salvage a piece of history, then now might be a good time to pick a new hard drive for memory’s sake. Else you will be left searching for them, just like we do with floppy disks now.

Hard Disk Drive Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Hard Disk Drives Market Analysis

The Global Hard Disk Drive Market size is estimated at USD 19.93 billion in 2024, and is expected to DECLINE to USD 15.53 billion by 2029. Source:


https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/hard-disk-drive-market

Hard drive storage will soon become part of computing history, says expert

Data center needs

Samsung has multiple SSD offerings, each with a specific use case in the data center. In deciding which option would fit the needs of your data center, there are several questions you must ask. The most obvious one — how much capacity you’ll need — which will depend on how much data you have and generate.

You’ll also need to think about how often that data is updated — daily, hourly or up-to-the-minute — and the types of applications and use cases that will involve your SSDs. For instance, are you looking for something that can simply handle file and print functions, or something with more intensive capabilities, such as those required by databases? Do you need something that can handle applications such as virtual desktop infrastructure, AI and big data analysis? Finally, you need to figure out the throughputs that your applications require for optimum performance.

Hard drive storage (HDDs will soon become part of computing history, says expert
It simply does not make sense to keep the disks spinning.


Most laptops and computers too are equipped with solid-state drives, so the question is, where are hard drives even used?

The Last of the Hard Drives

Back in 1956, IBM unveiled the 305 RAMDAC, which was likely the first computer to run a hard drive with a magnetic disk. The entire assembly took up a sizeable portion of the room but offered nothing over 5 MB of conventional storage capacity.

Fast forward 50 years, storage capacities had zoomed to one terabyte, and the size of the drive itself had reduced to the palm. When writing this, one can buy 22 TB storage for regular use and even 26 TB models for use in data centers.

The problem, however, according to Rosemarin, is that the world spends three percent of its energy on data centers, most of which is to spin the hard drive’s disk. Shifting to flash storage could reduce power consumption by as much as 90 percent. This is why the shift away from magnetic storage is inevitable.
Published: May 12, 2023 07:20 AM EST

Get data center speed with the right solid state drive


Data center speed is critical for keeping up with today’s technical loads, and enterprises need to have the fastest technology available to keep up with growing demand. Many organizations are turning to solid state drives (SSD) to improve their data storage and strategies. However, with so many now on the market, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs, goals — and budget.

Data center needs

Samsung has multiple SSD offerings, each with a specific use case in the data center. In deciding which option would fit the needs of your data center, there are several questions you must ask. The most obvious one — how much capacity you’ll need — which will depend on how much data you have and generate.

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HDD shipments significantly declining over the past 10 years—from a high of over 651 million units shipped in 2010 to 166 million in 2022.

The Data Center of the Future Is All-flash-

As technology evolves, the data center of the future will require all-flash data storage to deliver greater efficiency, speed, and reliability than traditional HDD systems.

Hard-disk drives (HDDs) have long been ubiquitous in data centers. In fact, the technology dates back to the 1950s, when IBM first constructed a server farm about the size of two refrigerators with a storage capacity of 3.75MB. But that’s a far cry from today. However, the data center of the future is about to make its way to the present.

Data growth is skyrocketing with 1.134 trillion MB of data currently being created on a daily basis. Data volumes continue to grow exponentially in this age of AI, smartphones, the cloud, and streaming video. And with many data centers still leveraging hard disk equipment, there are growing reasons to consider a shift to faster, more efficient, all-flash data storage technology.

To understand where we’re heading in data storage, it’s important to reflect on the journey so far. The term “all-flash array” dates back to the late 1980s, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that it significantly started to take shape. Pure Storage was an early player with FlashArray™, highlighting the impressive benefits of all-flash data storage over disk.

Organizations quickly determined that all-flash arrays offered greater performance when compared to spinning disk, with faster access times, lower latency, and higher throughput—making them an ideal option for performance-sensitive workloads. Enterprise-class storage systems based solely upon flash entered the market over a decade ago, and by 2019, up to 80% of revenues driven by primary storage workloads were coming from all-flash arrays. By this time, HDDs were primarily being used as secondary workloads that were more capacity- and cost-constrained than primary workloads. Yet, this still accounts for approximately 90% of the total amount of data stored by enterprises.

While HDDs have been a more affordable choice and continue to be used in the majority of data centers globally, there is a growing consensus that all-flash is defining the future of the data center. In fact, Pure Storage contends that by 2028, there will be practically no new, all-HDD storage systems sold for data center computing. This prediction is already playing out with HDD shipments significantly declining over the past 10 years—from a high of over 651 million units shipped in 2010 to 166 million in 2022.

FLASH STORAGE IN THE DATA CENTER


Flash storage offers unique benefits to enterprises that are grappling with exploding data volumes and slow, unpredictable data access. As all-flash storage solutions become increasingly affordable relative to spinning disk, enterprises can now realize flash benefits at scale, including: 

Accelerated application performance. This is often the first benefit that people think of when they think of flash. With 20x the performance of HDD technology, flash can accelerate common enterprise applications, such as Oracle Database, MS-SQL, SAP, and VDI, as well as big data analytics such as Hadoop and NoSQL databases. The speed of flash enables customers to access information faster and more effectively. It frees IT staff to focus more on strategic business goals and less on unplanned fire drills. And it empowers the business to capitalize on new opportunities, outcomes, and markets with increased productivity and faster time to market.

Improved data center economics. With the development of high-density flash technologies, today’s all-flash storage solutions offer faster performance and higher capacity in a fraction of the data center footprint. As their data volumes continue to grow, enterprises can see significant cost savings over time from simplified management and a reduction in space, power, and cooling costs.

Future-proof infrastructure. Modernizing your data center with flash is a critical step in digital transformation, but it's important to choose a flash system that supports changing business needs. Not all flash solutions are created equal. All-flash systems that offer nondisruptive scale-out make it possible to start small and grow big. Flash storage that is NVMe-ready can also help future-proof your infrastructure for new technologies and eliminate costly and disruptive forklift upgrades. If your IT strategy calls for a potential cloud element down the road, a flash system that supports cloud integration gives you maximum flexibility for the future.

With the industry’s most cloud-integrated all-flash storage and the most flexibility to support new flash technologies, NetApp makes it easy for you to take advantage of innovations in flash without disrupting your business.