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Civil Rights Groups Urge a Halt to South Africa Data Centers Boom Amid Water and Power Fears
Civil rights groups want a pause until officials assess data center demands for water, land and power and publish clearer rules, with 250 submissions already filed.
- South African civil rights groups are calling for a pause on the construction of additional data centers, demanding an investigation into the use of scarce water, land, and electricity resources.
- Current data reveals South Africa hosts 70% of Africa's data center capacity, an expansion the South African Human Rights Commission noted as "significant growth" that the government identifies as a key opportunity.
- New projects like an Equinix facility in Cape Town face scrutiny over water scarcity risks, while concerns persist regarding the 160 megawatts of electricity required and memory of "loadshedding."
- Over 250 submissions have reached the South African Human Rights Commission, with Pitso Tsibolane, a senior lecturer in Information Systems at the University of Cape Town, noting operators lack binding commitments on resource disclosure.
- The Internet Service Providers Association argues data centers are not causing energy scarcity, while experts suggest a temporary halt could establish clear rules for investment rather than rejecting foreign projects.
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Associated Press News+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Civil rights groups urge a halt to South Africa data centers boom amid water and power fears
Civil rights groups in South Africa are calling for a pause on building more data centers until their use of water, land and electricity is investigated.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Left
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
55% Left
L 55%
C 36%
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