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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.
- The South African Human Rights Commission noted "significant growth" in data center infrastructure as South Africa hosts 70% of Africa's data center capacity, which the government identifies as a digital economy opportunity.
- Memory of "loadshedding" has raised concerns about the 160 megawatts of electricity required, while an Equinix hyperscale facility planned for Cape Town faces scrutiny over water scarcity risks.
- Over 250 submissions have reached the South African Human Rights Commission, with senior lecturer Pitso Tsibolane noting operators lack binding requirements to disclose water and electricity commitments.
- The Internet Service Providers Association argues data centers are not causing energy scarcity, though experts suggest a temporary halt could establish clear rules for investment rather than reject it.
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25 Articles
25 Articles
Civil society groups in South Africa call for temporary halt to new data centres
South African civil society groups are calling for a halt to the construction of additional data centers in the country until the use of scarce water, land and electricity resources has been investigated.
·Pointe-Noire, Congo (the)
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Associated Press News+19 Reposted by 19 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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Water scarcity and electricity affects part of the residents, while data centers settle in Cape Town, South Africa
South African civil rights groups are calling for a halt to the construction of additional data centres in the country until the use of scarce water, land and electricity resources is investigated.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left10Leaning Right3Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left
45% Left
L 45%
C 41%
14%
Factuality
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